Shell Ginger

Shell Ginger, Alpinia zerumbet, is an East Asian native that happens to do really well in tropical and subtropical climates.  It is one of the Gingers that grows quite well in San Diego, surviving our mildly chilly Winters (down to the 30s) with occasional browning off of the foliage.  The pink buds remind me of a shell necklace and the flowers remind me of a string of orchids!

Shell Ginger

Shell Ginger, Alpinia zerumbet. Some Shell Ginger blooming at the zoo. I love the glossy little flowers and the bright yellow lips with deep red striations. It's really quite unique. They are native to Southeast Asia but are found in gardens worldwide including outdoors here in Southern California where they grow to over 8 ft. tall.

If you are wondering, yes, this is related to the Ginger, Zingiber officinale, you eat as a spice and, perhaps, for medicinale purposes such as to get rid of colds. The culinary ginger plant is much smaller, however, reaching perhaps a foot to 18" tall and has flowers that are rather drab.