Alpinia purpurata

Red ginger, Jungle king

 

One of the most famous tropical flowers

                                                                               

 

Alpinia rouge, lavann wouj, red ginger, cone Ginger, Jungle king, opuhi uteute, Tahitian Ginger, Ostrich Plume, gengibre rojo, red ginger Lily, alpinie, galanga d’Inde, galanga, …

Autres cultivars : Alpinia blanc, alpinia rose, alpinia fushia, alpinia double,  …

 

Family

 

ZINGEBERACEAE

 

Origin

 

New Caledonia and Moluccas

 

Description

 

Tropical rhizomatous and perennial flower of gingembre family.

Leafy, cane-like stems arise from rhizomes to form a plant 3–15 feet tall and 2–4 feet wide.

A stem’s single inflorescence can be up to about 12 inches long!

This is a ginger with deep pink, red or white spikes of flowers, small white flowers emerge rarely from the bracts of the spike.

It has larger shiny green oblong leaves and very small and rare seeds.

 

Also, it blooms year round and the rhizomes and stalks are aromatic.

 

Habitat 

 

Cultivated and wild (altitud à-800m)

 

Propagation
 

Division of Rhizoms

 

Culture and care

Alpinia purpurata grows best in fertile, organically rich, moist and well drained soil.

It can be planted in full sun to shade and is not tolerant of temperatures below 50°F.

  

At 41°F or less, the foliage and inflorescences die. The plant will rebirth with the warm day from his rhizomes, don't forget to put chopped straw at his feet.

 

Use

 

 

- Medicinal use

 

None

 

- Ornemental use

 

 

Can be planted as a single plant, edges or in a massif.

 

- Alimentary use

 

None

 

- Other uses

 

Tropical cut flower

 

Etymology 

 

The name Alpinia comes from Prosper Alpino, italian botanist and purpurata, from latin « purpuratus », purplish weard.