Alpinia purpurata
Alpinia
An elegant tropical plant, Alpinia captivates with its large white flowers and dense foliage, typical of humid tropical gardens.
Visible in the garden
's Species Profile
Red ginger is a common sight in tropical gardens and comes in a variety of shapes and colors. Some rarer varieties feature white or pink hues.
Family:
Zingiberaceae
Geographical origin:
East Asia (Japan, Taiwan)
Size:
2 to 4 meters
Flowering:
March through October
Habitat:
Tropical humid areas, forest edges
Class:
Monocots
Order:
Zingiberales
A colorful tropical plant
Red ginger is a tropical plant known for its large, colorful inflorescences, which are often mistaken for flowers. They are actually bracts. Depending on the variety, they can be red, pink, or white. Some varieties also have a denser inflorescence. The flowers are white and bloom only from March to October.
At the Jardin de Valombreuse, several varietiesof Alpinia purpurata can be seen. White varieties are less common. The double-flowered varieties, which are bushier and very colorful, are the result of horticultural selections made by humans to enhance their decorative appeal. This plant thrives in the heat, humidity, and rich soils of tropical gardens.
Discover our other plant species
Chinese Hat Plant
Recognizable by its red flowers surrounded by a small hat-shaped calyx, this tropical plant immediately catches the eye in gardens.
Learn about the species
Floating heart
A tropical aquatic plant, the Floating heart covers the water's surface with its small floating leaves and delicate flowers.
Learn about the species
Madagascar Periwinkle
Known in the Caribbean as 'zèb à sosyé' or 'kaka poul', this tropical plant is found in many Creole gardens. Very resilient, it flowers almost all year round in tropical climates.
Learn about the species