Zingiber chrysanthum

Description: Stems grow to about 4ft tall. Flowers in summer. Inflorescence at ground level direct from underground rhizome. Bracts enclose flower buds. Flowers on short peduncles peep out of the bracts with distinctive red dotted lips. Flower coloration very variable from orange to yellow. Winter dormant with rhizomes remaining underground . Flowers seem to be pollinated by ants. Seed capsules develop into brilliant scarlet color and remain for a long time on the plant much after the stem has died down. Scarlet capsules more showy than the flowers.

Habitat: Eastern Himalayans and northeast India

Ethnobotany: Not known    

Top: ripe capsules are red in colour and very showy