Alpinia purpurata
| Red ginger | |
|---|---|
.jpg)
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Zingiberales |
| Family: | Zingiberaceae |
| Genus: | Alpinia |
| Species: | A. purpurata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Alpinia purpurata | |
Alpinia purpurata, commonly referred to as red ginger, also called ostrich plume and pink cone ginger, are native Malaysian plants with showy flowers on long brightly colored red bracts. They look like the bloom, but the true flower is the small white flower on top.
It has cultivars called Jungle King and Jungle Queen.[1] Red Ginger grows in Hawaii, Trinidad, Grenada, St. Lucia, Panama, Dominica, St. Vincent, Martinique, Jamaica, Guadeloupe, Puerto Rico, Suriname (where its Dutch name is 'bokkepoot', billy-goat's foot), and many Central American nations, including Belize. It is also found in Samoa, where it is the national flower, and is locally called "teuila."
Red ginger can also be grown in South Florida since, in general, the region does not fall below freezing temperatures. It prefers partial shade and moist humid conditions, although it can tolerate full sun in some climates. It tends to like to be well watered and not left to dry out. Red ginger can also be grown as a houseplant and its cut flowers can be used in arrangements.
Gallery
Red Ginger flowering in Malaysia
More Red Ginger plants in Malaysia
Alpinia purpurata, Singapore Botanical Gardens
Red ginger (A. purpurata) in early stages of blooming, growing on the Hamakua coast, Hawai'i Island. These flowers (in image) are being grown here for the local flower industry and long-time flower associated with the area by the community. Once a very common flower, the flower growing community has experienced a decline in recent years, though is starting to make a come back. They are sometimes called "graveyard flowers" because they are customarily placed at loved ones headstones, because of their vigor & long-lasting cut-flower shelf life. Image description: Red inflorescence is beginning to open multiple bracts of deep red petals. The inflorescence is atop a green stalk, which is only a little visible at the bottom middle of the photo. Green leaves and more ginger stalks can be seen, and in the back skyline, a large African tulip tree with dark green leaves and a row of palms can be seen against a blue-ish grey sky.
Branching Red Ginger flower in Guadeloupe (this double-flowered form of Alpinia purpurata is known as "Tahitian ginger"[2])
References
- ^ Chan, Eric Wei Chiang; Wong, Siu Kuin (2015-11-01). "Phytochemistry and pharmacology of ornamental gingers, Hedychium coronarium and Alpinia purpurata: a review". Journal of Integrative Medicine. 13 (6): 368–379. doi:10.1016/S2095-4964(15)60208-4. ISSN 2095-4964. PMID 26559362.
- ^ Kepler, Angela Kay (1989). Exotic Tropicals of Hawaii: Heliconias, Gingers, Anthuriums and Decorative Foliage. Mutual Pub. pp. 47–48. ISBN 978-0-935180-83-1.
External links
- Images of Red Ginger
- Alpinia purpurata fotografiada Honolulu, Hawaii Galería de Plantas del Mundo Oficina Verde de la Universidad de Murcia
- https://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/gardening/article/Try-these-3-summer-plants-to-add-color-to-beds-15234885.php
- https://www.news-press.com/story/life/2016/09/14/subtropical-pinecone-ginger-exotic-scarlet/90347722/Error: "Q311172" is not a valid Wikidata entity ID.
