Red Ginger: A Promising Crop for Floriculturists

Abstract

Alpinia is the largest genus in the ginger family Zingiberaceae. Red ginger Aor Alpinia purpurata is a tall, perennial, evergreen, rhizomatous, aromatic and herbaceous plant with 30-250 cm tall. The rhizomes spread laterally in the clusters and aerial shoots are produced. The leafy branch terminates in an inflorescence and for m large clumps within 2-3 years. The inflorescence of 20-40 cm long consists of spirally arranged, showy, brightly coloured bracts. The flower is inconspicuous white, tubular and smaller than the bract . Inflorescences are normally erect but found drooping if they are large. They produce seeds very rarely. The rhizomes and stalks are aromatic. The plant can be grown in pots or as a hedge plant in gardens or as a cut flower crop. It is a good foundation planting especially in front of blank walls and near the garden ponds. The plant can be cultivated as an intercrop in Arecanut, Coconut groves, rubber plantations etc.