Family: Zingiberaceae
Author: (Vieill.) K.Schum.
Bibliography: H.G.A.Engler (ed.), Pflanzenr., IV, 46: 323 (1904)
Year: 1904
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Alpinia
Vegetable: False
Observations: Maluku to SW. Pacific
Description
Alpinia purpurata, commonly known as Red Ginger, is a striking and vibrant tropical plant that has captured the attention of botanists and gardening enthusiasts alike. This species, referenced in literature such as H.G.A. Engler’s “Pflanzenreich” from 1904, is a member of the Zingiberaceae family, which includes many other notable gingers.
Red Ginger is renowned for its ornamental beauty, primarily due to its brightly colored bracts, which are often mistaken for flowers. These bracts range from deep crimson to magenta and stand out vividly against the plant’s lush green foliage. True flowers of Red Ginger are relatively inconspicuous, white to light pink, and nestled within the bracts.
Native to regions from Maluku to the southwestern Pacific, Red Ginger thrives in warm, humid climates where it can grow effectively in both garden settings and in the wild. It is commonly found in tropical landscapes and is often used in floral arrangements because of its brilliant color and longevity.
Botanical exploration and classification have credited (Vieill.) K. Schum. with its detailed study, contributing to our understanding of this remarkable species within the rich diversity of the Zingiberaceae family. Additionally, the plant’s ability to adapt to various environments makes it a versatile choice for those looking to add a touch of exotic flair to their gardens.
Apart from its visual appeal, local cultures have sometimes utilized Red Ginger in traditional medicine, though it is primarily cultivated for its ornamental value. Its popularity continues to grow as more gardeners and botanists discover its impressive aesthetic and relatively easy cultivation needs. Whether in a tropical garden or as a part of a vibrant floral arrangement, Alpinia purpurata never fails to make a dramatic and colorful statement.
Common Names
Eng: red ginger, red-ginger
Por: panamá
Swe: röd galangarot
En: Red ginger, Red-ginger
Fr: Gingembre rouge
Pt: Panamá
Sv: Röd galangarot
Synonyms
- Languas purpurata ((Vieill.) Kaneh.)
- Alpinia grandis (K.Schum.)
- Guillainia novoebudica (F.Muell.)
- Guillainia purpurata (Vieill.)
- Alpinia purpurata var. grandis ((K.Schum.) K.Schum.)
- Alpinia purpurata var. anomala (Gagnep.)
- Alpinia purpurata var. albobracteata (K.Schum.)
Distribution
- Bismarck Archipelago (native)
- Maluku (native)
- New Caledonia (native)
- New Guinea (native)
- Solomon Is. (native)
- Vanuatu (native)
- Assam (introduced)
- Caroline Is. (introduced)
- Colombia (introduced)
- Comoros (introduced)
- Cook Is. (introduced)
- Ecuador (introduced)
- Fiji (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- Mexico Southwest (introduced)
- Peru (introduced)
- Santa Cruz Is. (introduced)
- Society Is. (introduced)
- Thailand (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
- Tuamotu (introduced)
- Windward Is. (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Apr 15, 2016 by roland risch (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 31, 2021 by plau Plau (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 5, 2018 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 28, 2017 by Philippe Feldmann (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 28, 2017 by Philippe Feldmann (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Habit
Taken Mar 5, 2013 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 17, 2016 by Francesca De Luca (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 11, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 30, 2022 by Ariza Carlos (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 30, 2021 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Oct 26, 2018 by Terra Zaneti Mariangela (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 28, 2017 by Philippe Feldmann (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 11, 2021 by kevin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 3, 2021 by luis felipe camilo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 28, 2017 by Philippe Feldmann (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken May 10, 2020 by Gonçalves Ronaldo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 4, 2013 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 30, 2021 by Rita Estévez (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 8, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 9, 2018 by Jean-Paul Plancquaert (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Aug 1, 2019 by L Baehr (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 18, 2022 by mp bouv (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 17, 2021 by Abd Munir Gassing (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 21, 2019 by Pat SABI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 1, 2019 by Yves SPM (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Aug 1, 2019 by SANTOS NATANIEL (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 23, 2020 by Vieira do Nascimento Paulo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 23, 2022 by Kumārajīva (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 26, 2022 by theo del (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 2, 2019 by Vargas A Lorenzo (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5301960)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:795383-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Alpinia purpurata (Vieill.) K.Schum.)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Forb/herb