Hedychium is a genus of approximately 70–80 species of rhizomatous perennial plants in the ginger family Zingiberaceae, placed in the order Zingiberales. Native to lightly wooded habitats across India, Southeast Asia, and Madagascar, these plants are commonly known as ginger lilies, garland flowers, or kahili gingers.\n\nMembers of the genus are robust, clump-forming perennials that typically reach 120–180 cm (47–71 in) in height, growing from thick underground rhizomes. They are prized for their bold, lance-shaped foliage and terminal spikes of highly fragrant flowers produced in shades of white, yellow, and orange, depending on species. The type species, Hedychium coronarium, bears pure white blossoms and is the source of the genus name.\n\nSeveral species and cultivars are widely grown as ornamentals in temperate and subtropical gardens. The cultivar 'Tara' has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. While the genus tolerates temperatures down to around −10 °C (14 °F), plants benefit from a sheltered position and a protective winter mulch in cooler climates.\n\nSome species, particularly H. gardnerianum and H. coronarium, have naturalized far beyond their native range and are regarded as invasive in parts of New Zealand, Hawaii, and other island ecosystems, where their vigorous rhizomatous growth can displace native vegetation.
Etymology
The genus name Hedychium derives from the ancient Greek words hedys (“sweet”) and chios (“snow”), an allusion to the sweetly fragrant white flowers of the type species Hedychium coronarium. Common names for members of the genus include garland flower, ginger lily, and kahili ginger.
Distribution
Hedychium is native to India, Southeast Asia, and Madagascar, where it grows in lightly wooded, often moist habitats. Several species have spread far beyond this native range and are established as naturalized or invasive plants in Hawaii, New Zealand, the Azores, and parts of Central and South America.
Cultivation
Ginger lilies are cultivated widely for their ornamental foliage and fragrant flower spikes in shades of white, yellow, and orange. They grow from rhizomes and perform best in rich, moist soil with ample summer warmth. Most species tolerate temperatures down to approximately −10 °C (14 °F), but in cooler climates a sheltered site and a deep winter mulch over the rhizomes are recommended. The cultivar ‘Tara’ holds the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
Taxonomy Notes
The genus Hedychium belongs to the family Zingiberaceae (order Zingiberales) and comprises approximately 70–80 accepted species. The first molecular phylogeny of the genus, sampling 29 taxa, was published by Tom Wood et al. in 2000.
