Alpinia zerumbet (Shell Ginger)
Posted: August 14th, 2013, 6:04 am
| Botanical Name | Alpinia zerumbet |
| Family | Zingiberaceae |
| Local Name in Urdu | Not a local plant |
| Common Name | Shell ginger |
| Life Cycle | Evergreen |
| Cultivar Name | NA |
| Fragrant or Not | Fragrant |
| Category(Bush/Vine/Tree) | Clump forming perennial |
| Height | Up to 10 ft |
| Spacing | Grows as clumps |
| Flowering Months | Blooms intermittently, mainly in spring |
| Flower Color | Yellow flowers with red throat |
| Growing Areas | Tropical pant |
| Frost Tender | Yes |
| Exposure | Partial shade, warm and moist atmosphere |
| Soil pH | No specific issues |
| Propagation | Division of rhizomes |
| Uses | Ornamental and medicinal |
| Other Details | Alpinia as the name indicates belongs to the Alpine region. This evergreen clump forming perennial grows around 10 ft with a spread of 5-10 ft. The "stems" of of Alpinia are not true stems but densely wrapped leaves just like banana. Shell-flower is commonly called shell ginger or shellflower because its individual shell pink flowers, particularly when in bud, resemble sea shells. It is distinguished from other members of the ginger family by the fact that its flowers droop from the ends of leafy stems rather than rise directly from plant rhizomes. The fragrant flowers are waxy; light pink flower buds open to tubular flowers with yellow inside lips and red throats (http://www.rain-tree.com/shell-flower.htm). Images by A. Y. Khan |