Etlingera elatior
COMMON NAME | Torch ginger |
TYPE | Ginger/Heliconia |
FAMILY | Zingiberaceae |
NOTES | A
tropical rhizomatous perennial of the ginger family that grows to 12-15’ tall
in tropical climates but much shorter in cooler climates. Naked flower stalks rise
directly from the rhizomes to 3’ tall, each stalk being topped by a large
cone-shaped inflorescence containing tiny yellow flowers over tiny fertile
bracts, both of which are somewhat hidden inside of and subtended by large,
drooping, showy petal-like red bracts. Flower buds are edible. |
GEOGRAPHIC REGION | Malayasia and Indonesia |
NATIVE
HABITAT | Not
known in the wild but
widely
cultivated as an ornamental plant. |
WEB SOURCES |
