While trying to discern if Stromanthe was a type of ginger, learned a few things:
-The ginger order (Zingiberales) is a large one, including 68 genera.
-Most members of Zingiberales are herbacious perennials with rhizomatous root systems (Wikipedia).
-Straight from Wikipedia, the families of Zingiberales include
-Cannas
-Costus Spiral Gingers
-Heliconias
-Orchidantha
-Musa Bananas
-Maranta Prayer Plants
-Strelitzia Bird of Paradise
-Zingiber Gingers
Most of the members of the Zingiberales Order are tropical or subtropical. Cannas are native to the new world, while most Zingiber gingers are native to Asia.
Zingiberoides members have adapted to Southeast Asia's monsoonal climate, becoming dormant in the dry season as underground fleshy rhizomes. Marantas, Heliconias, and Cannas have adapted to swampy areas and have their rhizomes rooted underwater.
Asarum canadense "wild ginger" of Eastern North America is actually not a ginger, and is not edible. If eaten it causes permanent kidney damage as it contains aristolochic acid. Try saying that 5 times fast.
Members of the Maranta family can have Rosmarinic acid, a caffeic ester. Arrowroot is a member of the Maranta family. So is Stromanthe, so it is possibly edible and possibly awesome.