Alpinia purpurata
Red Ginger Lily, Ostrich Plume, Red Cone GingerFamily: Zingiberaceae
Origin: Malay Peninsula
Extremely tropical looking, one of the most desirable symbols of Tropics, Alpinia purpurata, 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. Red Ginger grows in Hawaii, and many Central American nations, including Belize. It is also found in Samoa, where it is the national flower, and is locally called "teuila." 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. Ginger can also be grown as a houseplant and its cut flowers can be used in arrangements. Likes a slightly acid soil. Every other year trim to ground to prevent legginess. Blooms from spring to summer if there is enough humidity.
See Article about Alpinia.
Similar plants:
- Alpinia argentea (Yellow Ginger Lily )
- Alpinia formosana x zerumbet Variegata (Variegated ginger)
- Alpinia galanga, Languas galanga (Galanga Root, Galangal, Thai Ginger, Laos )
- Alpinia gigantifolia, Zingiber gigantifolium (Red Ginger Lily)
- Alpinia henryi 'Pink Perfection' (Pink porcelain lily)
- Alpinia luteocarpa (Red Bamboo Ginger)
- Alpinia malaccensis (Rathkihiriya)
- Alpinia nutans, Alpinia speciosa (Shell ginger, Pink porcelain lily, Narrow-Leaf Cinnamon Ginger, Shellflower, Dwarf cardamom, False cardamom)
- Alpinia officinarum (Lesser Galangal)
- Alpinia rugosa (Evergreen Broadleaf Ginger)
