Alpinia purpurata

red ginger

Ornamental ginger is native to the South Pacific and was introduced to Hawaii prior to the early 1900s. It is widely cultivated today in tropical and subtropical areas for its beautiful blooms. This plant is related to the ginger whose rhizomes are most commonly harvested for use as a spice. Harvesting of both types of ginger is similar; here is a video clip to give you a better idea of how the part you see in the store is prepared:

Hawaiian royalty used to wear leis made from this plant’s inflorescences for important ceremonies. Today, the inflorescences continue to be used in leis and are also very popular in flower arrangements.

Hawaiians also used the plant medicinally, grinding stems and using them to make a solution to cure stomachaches. They also treated headaches with rhizomes mashed together with salt. More recently, it was discovered that this plant is a promising source for compounds useful in fighting tuberculosis.

Leaves have been used to make dyes with beige and yellow tones.

This plant does very well in the landscape with little help. With a mostly-sunny spot and some mesic soil, it will grow and bloom very well...perhaps too well, as it can grow rapidly underground and snatch up garden real estate much like running bamboo.