Hedychium

Hedychium
Hedychium coronarium
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
(unranked): Commelinids
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Zingiberaceae
Subfamily: Zingiberoideae
Genus: Hedychium
J.Koenig
Synonyms[1]
  • Gamochilus T.Lestib.
  • Gandasulium Rumph. ex Kuntze
  • Brachychilum (R.Br. ex Wall.) Petersen

Hedychium is a genus of flowering plants in the ginger family Zingiberaceae, native to lightly wooded habitats in Asia. There are approximately 70-80 known species, native to Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, etc.), southern China, the Himalayas and Madagascar. Some species have become widely naturalized in other lands (South Africa, South America, Central America, the West Indies, and many of the islands of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans) and considered invasive in some places.[1][2]


The genus name Hedychium is derived from two ancient Greek words, hedys meaning "sweet" and chios meaning "snow". This refers to the fragrant white flower of the type species H. coronarium.[3] Common names include garland flower, ginger lily, and kahili ginger.

Members of the genus Hedychium are rhizomatous perennials, commonly growing 120–180 cm (47–71 in) tall. Some species are cultivated for their exotic foliage and fragrant spikes of flowers in shades of white, yellow and orange.[4] Numerous cultivars have been developed for garden use, of which 'Tara' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[5]

Selected species

References

  1. 1 2 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. ↑ Flora of China, v 24 p 370, 姜花属 jiang hua shu, Hedychium J. König in Retzius, Observ. Bot. 3: 73--74. 1783.
  3. ↑ Coombes, Allen J. (2012). The A to Z of plant names. USA: Timber Press. p. 312. ISBN 9781604691962.
  4. ↑ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
  5. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Hedychium 'Tara'". Retrieved 21 June 2013.
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