Main site sections:
Plants section links:

Location

  • San Diego Zoo

Species Collection

Bloom time (approximate):

  • Summer

Gardens

Plants: Species

Ginger: Shell Ginger Alpinia zerumbet

FAMILY: ZINGIBERACEAE (Ginger Family)

The grandest of all the gingers is shell ginger Alpinia zerumbet. Native to east Asia, shell ginger has leaves that are 2 feet (0.6 meters) long and shell-like flowers that grow together in beautiful pendant clusters in late summer. The plant can reach heights of up to 12 feet (3.6 meters).