Dichorisandra is a genus of perennial, monocotyledonous flowering plants belonging to the dayflower family Commelinaceae, within the order Commelinales. The genus is entirely Neotropical in distribution, with the vast majority of its approximately 50 species native to Brazil, particularly the Atlantic Forest and adjacent regions of eastern, southeastern, and central Brazil.
Plants in this genus are characterized by slightly zygomorphic flowers bearing large, showy anthers that typically release pollen through small pores at their apex — a mechanism known as poricidal dehiscence. Seeds are distinctive, being embedded in a fleshy red aril (occasionally white), which aids in dispersal. Tubers frequently develop at the tips of the roots, contributing to the perennial habit of many species.
Morphological evidence and DNA sequence analysis both indicate that Dichorisandra is most closely related to the genus Siderasis, and both are placed within the family Commelinaceae. The genus includes well-known cultivated ornamentals such as Dichorisandra thyrsiflora (blue ginger), which has naturalized in parts of Peru and Java, and Dichorisandra reginae (queen's spiderwort), native to Peru. The widest-ranging species, Dichorisandra hexandra, extends from southern Mexico through Central America all the way to Argentina.
Etymology
The name Dichorisandra derives from Greek roots: dicho- (divided/in two), chorizo (to separate), and aner/andros (man/stamen), referring to the characteristic division or separation of the stamens — specifically the dimorphic arrangement of the six stamens found in flowers of this genus.
Distribution
Dichorisandra is native to the Neotropics, with the majority of species concentrated in Brazil — especially in the Atlantic Forest states of Bahia, Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, and southeastern Brazil. A few species have broader ranges extending from southern Mexico and Central America into South America as far south as Argentina, while others are restricted to Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, or Venezuela.
Cultivation
Several species of Dichorisandra are cultivated as ornamental plants, valued for their attractive foliage and vivid flowers. Dichorisandra thyrsiflora (blue ginger) is the most widely grown, producing tall canes topped with dense clusters of deep blue flowers; it thrives in warm, humid conditions with partial shade, fertile moist soil, and regular watering. Dichorisandra reginae and Dichorisandra musaica are grown as foliage houseplants in temperate regions, where they require warm temperatures and protection from frost. Propagation is typically by stem cuttings or division of the tuberous roots.
