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Siam Tulip (NOT a True Tulip)
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Siam Tulip (NOT a True Tulip)

Curcuma alismatifolia

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameSiam Tulip (NOT a True Tulip)
DescriptionBeautiful tropical plant that looks like tulip but is actually related to turmeric and ginger. Showy pink, purple, or white bracts (modified leaves) arranged like tulip petals. True flowers are small, hidden inside bracts. Easy to grow in warm climates or as houseplant. Long-lasting cut flower (2-3 weeks). Goes dormant in winter, regrows from rhizomes in spring. Popular in tropical gardens and floral arrangements.
FamilyZingiberaceae
GenusCurcuma
TribeZingibereae

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 'Siam Tulip' from resemblance to tulips and origin in Siam (Thailand). NOT related to true tulips (Tulipa). Member of ginger family, related to turmeric. About 100 Curcuma species. C. alismatifolia most popular ornamental. Called 'Hidden Ginger' - flowers hidden inside bracts. Native to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia
  • Showy parts are bracts (modified leaves), not flowers. Bracts 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) tall, arranged in cone-like spike. Colors: pink (most common), purple, white, lavender. True flowers small, yellow-purple, hidden between bracts. Bracts last 2-3 weeks on plant, 2-3 weeks as cut flower. Blooms summer (June-September)
  • Herbaceous perennial growing from rhizomes (underground stems like ginger). Lance-shaped leaves 8-16 inches long, emerge from ground. Flower spike rises separately from leaves on own stem. Goes dormant in fall - leaves die back. Rhizomes rest in winter, regrow in spring. Deciduous
  • Grows 1.5-2 feet (45-60 cm) tall in bloom. Spread 1-2 feet. Lifespan of rhizomes: many years. Propagated by division of rhizomes (spring). Blooms in first year from rhizomes. Divide every 2-3 years. Each rhizome produces multiple flower spikes per season
  • Native to northern Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar. Found in monsoon forests, grasslands at 300-3,000 feet elevation. Now cultivated worldwide in tropics and as houseplant. Thrives in warm, humid climates with distinct wet/dry seasons
  • Requires full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours sun). Needs warm temperatures (70-85°F) during growth. Well-drained soil essential - rhizomes rot if too wet. Regular watering during growth, reduce in fall. Stop watering when leaves yellow (dormancy). Hardy zones 8-11. Grow in containers elsewhere, store rhizomes dry in winter
  • Excellent cut flower - very long-lasting (2-3 weeks). Popular in tropical flower arrangements. Easy container plant for patios. Low maintenance once established. Deer and rabbit resistant. Attracts butterflies. Perfect for tropical gardens, borders. Provides summer color
  • Plant rhizomes 2-3 inches deep in spring after frost. Fertilize monthly during growth. Allow natural dormancy - leaves yellow and die in fall. Dig rhizomes in cold climates, store dry at 50-60°F. Replant in spring. In warm zones, leave in ground. Very easy - almost foolproof. Symbolizes exotic beauty

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificCurcuma alismatifolia
English (Alternate)Summer Tulip, Queen Tulip
Hindiतिकूर (Tikhur)
Tamilசியாம் துலிப் (Siam Tulip)
Teluguట్యూలిప్ (Tulip), ఇండియన్ తులిప్ (Indian Tulip)
Malayalamകുർകുമ അലിസ്മാറ്റിഫോളിയ (Kurkuma alismatifolia)
Kannadaಸಿಯಾಮ್ ತುಳಿಪ್ (Siam Tulip)
Sanskrit कन्द पुष्प (kanda-puṣpa)
Bengaliসিয়াম টিউলিপ (Siam Tulip)
FrenchTulip de Siam
Russianтюльпан (tyul'pan)
Spanishtulipán de Siam, tulipán de verano
GermanCurcuma alismatifolia

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.