Alpinia purpurata aka Red Ginger

Alpinia purpurata, commonly known as red ginger, is a native Malaysian plant with vibrant, showy flowers that grow on long, brightly colored red bracts. It is also referred to as ostrich plume and pink cone ginger. Despite its name, the true flower of the red ginger is a small white flower located on top of the bracts. There are cultivars of this plant called Jungle King and Jungle Queen. Red ginger can be found in various regions including Hawaii, Trinidad, Grenada, St. Lucia, Panama, Dominica, St. Vincent, Martinique, Jamaica, Guadeloupe, Puerto Rico, Suriname, and many Central American nations. It is even the national flower of Samoa, where it is locally known as "teuila." It can also be grown in South Florida, as it can tolerate the region's climate as long as it does not experience freezing temperatures. This plant thrives in partial shade and prefers moist and humid conditions. It can tolerate full sun in certain climates. It requires regular watering and should not be left to dry out. Red ginger can also be grown as a houseplant, and its cut flowers are commonly used in floral arrangements. In Hawaii, the flower is commercially grown and has been associated with the Hamakua area for a long time. However, the flower growing community has experienced a decline in recent years. It is sometimes referred to as "graveyard flowers" as they are traditionally placed at loved ones' headstones due to their long-lasting shelf life as cut flowers. Red ginger is a tender perennial that can reach heights of up to 4 meters. It has lance-shaped, slightly glossy green leaves that can grow up to 80 centimeters long. During summer, it produces long, semi-upright flower spikes with small white flowers surrounded by overlapping, bright red bracts. This plant has several common names, including jungle queen (pink flower), jungle king (red flower), Tahitian ginger, and ostrich plume. It is relatively easy to care for and may require frequent pruning if grown in plant containers. The flower spike of red ginger is truly the floral bracts, while the actual flowers are small and white, located at the tips of the bracts. Varieties such as jungle king and jungle queen bloom throughout the year, and their cut flowers can last up to 25 days.