Origin: New Guinea
Prefers tropical but will grow in warm subtropics as long as you keep the water up. Tapeinochilos densum thrives in rich moist to boggy soil.
Each inflorescence of this spiral ginger family member somewhat resembles a pineapple, hence the common name of pineapple ginger. In tropical to semi-tropical areas, this plant blooms throughout the year.
Green leaves wrap spirally around plant stems.
Photos: HortPark, Singapore, 20130629
Source: elarishtropicalexotics.com
Costus speciosus or Cheilocostus speciosus or crape ginger is possibly the best known cultivated species of the genus Costus. This plant is native to southeast Asia, especially on the Greater Sunda Islands in Indonesia. Costus differs from the common ginger by having only one row of spirally arranged leaves.
The species reproduces by rhizome and birds disperse seeds when they feed on the fruits.
It is cultivated in India for its medicinal uses and elsewhere as an ornamental.
Photos: Yishun; Labrador Nature Reserve, Singapore [20160330, 20100508]
Source: Wikipedia
Belonging to the Costus genus, Variegated spiral ginger has a botanical name of Costus speciosus variegata. The botanical name epithet speciosus means ‘showy’.
Variegated spiral ginger grows as an evergreen and is an ornamental.
Photos: HortPark, Singapore, 20130126
Source: myfolia.com
Tapeinochilos ananassae also known as Indonesian wax ginger and Giant Spiral Ginger is a moisture and shade loving plant, 5-6 feet tall, found in Southeast Asia. The basal inflorescence is a gorgeous solid bright red, and the bracts are very stiff and waxy.
Tapeinochilos ananassae is excellent as a tropical garden plant with plenty of room for the plant to grow or as a cut flower. Blooms throughout the year.
Photos: Singapore 20100306
Costus productus is sometimes called Costus comosus, Dwarf Orange Ginger, Orange Tulip Ginger, Green Mountain Spiral Flag, is actually an edible variety. The flower petals are quite sweet and nutritious.
It’s a lower grower and makes a great ground cover. Orange spiral ginger grows as an evergreen and is an ornamental.
Photo: SBG, Singapore 20120313
Costus lucanusianus, also known as African Spiral Flag, native to tropical Africa, is a species of family Costaceae [a small tropical herbaceous family of 4 genera and about 200 species, resembling and closely related to Zingiberaceae.]
These plant has thin stems that grow nearly vertical up to 8 feet in height, with little spiraling of the leaves. The bracts on the cone structure are not tightly compressed. Flowers emerge one or two at a time from the bracts, and last only a day. The individual flowers are one inch to 1 1/2 inches across and have a thin, tissue-like texture.
Photo: SBG Singapore 20120313
ABC = Always Bring Camera. Most of the time you see me with my camera ‘pack’, today [20120315] is no difference.
Sharing 2 photos of tiny creatures I took this morning at the KTPH’s garden courtyard.
A Red ant on a tasty red inflorescence of Costus woodsonii or Red Button Ginger.
1 cm Lime green grasshopper nymph resting on a withered common arrowhead flower [Sagittaria latifolia].
Note:
I was at the Day Surgery Centre, KTPH, accompanying my husband for his cataract surgery. The 45 mintues procedure went well.
Hedychium coronarium also known as White ginger lily, Butterfly ginger, is originally from the Himalayas region of Nepal and India. Butterfly ginger, also called garland flower, has been widely cultivated in tropical Asia for the flowers that give off a prominent sweet fragrance.
Hedychium coronarium coronarium, the national flower of Cuba.
Singapore Botanic Gardens 20120313
As one of the names suggests, the shape of the flowers of this ginger resembles that of a butterfly with its wings spread open.
Hedychium coronarium chrysoleucum
Singapore Botanic Gardens 20120313
For me, the aroma of white ginger lei is a powerful reminder of Hawaii and my Hawaiian friends.
Photo: Internet.
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