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Red Ginger (Ostrich Plume)
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Red Ginger (Ostrich Plume)

Alpinia purpurata

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameRed Ginger (Ostrich Plume)
DescriptionStunning tropical plant with brilliant red or pink cone-shaped flower spikes resembling ostrich plumes. What looks like flowers are actually colorful bracts - true flowers are small white blooms hidden inside. Long-lasting spikes make excellent cut flowers (2-3 weeks in vase). Easy to grow in warm, humid climates. Popular in tropical landscaping and Hawaiian leis.
FamilyZingiberaceae
GenusAlpinia
TribeAlpinieae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr % ⚥ K(3) C(3) A1 G(3)

Ebracteate (but showy bracts present), zygomorphic (bilateral symmetry), bisexual, 3 fused sepals forming tube, 3 fused petals (one modified as lip), 1 fertile stamen (plus sterile staminodes), 3 fused carpels with inferior ovary. Typical of Zingiberaceae family

Features
  • Name 'Ostrich Plume' from feathery appearance of flower spikes. About 230 Alpinia species. A. purpurata most popular ornamental. Related to culinary ginger but not edible. Called 'Teuila' in Samoa - national flower. Varieties: 'Jungle King' (red), 'Jungle Queen' (pink), 'Tahitian Ginger' (pink)
  • Showy parts are bracts (modified leaves), not flowers. Cone-shaped spikes 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) long, brilliant red or pink. True flowers small, white, hidden between bracts. Bracts last 2-4 weeks on plant, 2-3 weeks as cut flower. Blooms year-round in tropics, summer elsewhere
  • Perennial herbaceous plant growing from rhizomes (underground stems). Upright cane-like stems. Large lance-shaped leaves 12-24 inches long, arranged alternately. Resembles banana plant in growth habit. Spreads slowly from rhizomes. Evergreen in frost-free areas
  • Grows 3-8 feet (1-2.5 m) tall, occasionally to 10 feet. Spread 3-5 feet. Lifespan many years from rhizomes. Propagated by division of rhizomes (spring) or stem cuttings. Blooms on mature stems (2-3 years old). Divide every 3-4 years
  • Native to Malaysia, Indonesia, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Southwest Pacific islands. Now widely planted in tropics worldwide. Naturalized in Hawaii, Florida, Caribbean. Thrives in warm, humid tropical and subtropical climates
  • Requires bright indirect light to partial shade (2-4 hours sun). Needs warm temperatures (65-85°F), high humidity (60-80%). Prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil. Regular watering - keep soil moist but not soggy. Hardy zones 10-12. Grow in containers elsewhere, bring indoors in winter
  • Excellent cut flower - extremely long-lasting (2-3 weeks). Popular in tropical flower arrangements, Hawaiian leis. Used in landscaping for bold tropical look. Attracts hummingbirds. Deer resistant. Low maintenance once established. Provides year-round color in tropics
  • Easy to grow in right climate - very forgiving. Remove old stems after flowering to encourage new growth. Fertilize monthly during growing season. Mulch to retain moisture. Can be grown in large containers. Symbolizes passion and exotic beauty in flower language

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificAlpinia purpurata
English (Alternate)Ostrich Plume, Pink Cone Ginger, Tahitian Ginger, Jungle King, Jungle Queen
HindiKushtha (कुष्ठ), Keu (केउ), Adrak (अदरक)
Tamilசிற்றரத்தை (seetharathai), பேரரத்தை (Paereeyarathai), சிவப்பு இஞ்சி (Sivappu Inji), தீக்கோழி இறகு (theekkozhi iragu)
Teluguకాశ్మీరము (Kashmiramu), కోష్టము (Koshtamu)
Malayalam ചെമ്പരത്തി ഇഞ്ചി (ChembarathiInchi), ചുവന്ന ഇഞ്ചി (Chuvanna Inchi), ആനക്കൂവ (Anakkuva), ചണ്ണക്കൂവ (Channakkuva)
Kannadaನಾರಿ ಕಬ್ಬು (Nāri kabbu), ನಾಯಿ ಕಬ್ಬು (Nāyi kabbu), ಚಂಗಲಕೋಸ್ತ (Caṅgalakōsta)
Sanskritसंय्यन्दना (Syandana), कुलञ्जा (kulanja)
Bengaliকেও (Keu), কেওমুক (Keumuk), দোলন চাপা (Dolon Chapa)
Frenchgingembre rouge
Russianимбирь (imbir)
Spanishjengibre rojo, jenjibre rojo
Germanrote Ingwer

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.