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Alpinia purpurata – Red Ginger
Alpinia purpurata, better known as Red ginger was also called Ostrich Plume and Pink Cone Ginger.
Red Ginger is a native plant in Malaysia and is known for its colorful flowers on red colored bracts. The bracts look like the bloom but at the top grows a tiny flower which is the real one.
There are two types of Red ginger, one is called the Jungle King and the other was named the Jungle Queen. Currently Red Ginger grows in the wild in Hawaii, Puerto Rico and large parts of Central America. In Samoa, Red Ginger is considered to be its national flower and is locally referred to as "teuila".
The plant can only grow in parts of the world where temperatures do not drop below zero, which enables the plant to also grow in the southern parts of Florida. Red Ginger is at its best when partially kept in the shade under moist conditions. Red ginger is able to endure direct sunlight as long as the humidity is increased accordingly.
In order to bloom Red ginger needs 18 months of frost free conditions making it only suitable in certain parts of the world, though it can survive in cooler surroundings but it will not bloom there.
Red ginger is growing in popularity to be kept indoors where its beautiful flowers are used to create spectacular flower arrangements. Indoors, under controlled conditions, Red ginger tends to do well making it an easy plant to grow. In areas where temperatures do not fall below zero, Red ginger tends to take care of itself and basically needs no special attention.
The Ginger species have many uses besides looking great in gardens, living rooms or even out in the wild. Red ginger is known for its medical applications. Commonly it is used as a stimulant and used to counteract flatulence, Nausea and seasickness. The use of ginger extract has greatly reduced the death of infants in third world countries.
Ginger can also be used for culinary means. The biting taste of ginger adds spice to food and is an ingredient in many curry dishes and sauces, while ginger tea is a good way to combat the common cold. Ginger can also be used to conserve food as it is known to kill salmonella.
Red Ginger is listed as an invasive plant in many countries as the plant has a tendency to spread when growing in the wild in environments it can thrive. The plants attract bees, bugs and birds, which ensure distribution of its seeds across a wide area.
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