Common name: Native Ginger
Alpinia arundelliana (F.M.Bailey) K.Schum. APNI* Synonyms: Alpinia caerulea var. arundelliana F.M.Bailey APNI*
Description: Perennial herb to 2 m high.
Leaves with lamina lanceolate, 12–25 mm long, 2–4 cm wide, glabrous, apex acuminate; ligule 3–4 mm long, entire, usually minutely ciliate.
Inflorescence 5–8 cm long, glabrous; pedicels to 4 mm long. Outer tepals 3–4 mm long. Inner tepal tube 3–4 mm long; labellum reniform, shortly clawed, 4–6 mm long, 6–8 mm wide, rose-red. Lateral staminodes minute. Ovary c. 2 mm long, glabrous, 3-locular or imperfectly so.
Capsule c. 10 mm diam., dark blue-black.
Flowering: November–January
Distribution and occurrence: Grows in rainforest or wet sclerophyll forest; north from Wyong.
NSW subdivisions: NC, CC
Other Australian states: Qld
The family is of some economic importance in the production of a number of spices and condiments, e.g., Ginger, Turmeric, Cardamon and Indian Arrowroot.
Text by Peter G. Wilson & S. M. Hastings
Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 4 (1993)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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