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Etlingera elatior (Red)
| Family Name: | Zingiberaceae |
| Common Name: | Red Torch Ginger, Wax Flower, 玫瑰姜, 火炬姜, 瓷玫瑰 |
Name
| Family Name | |
| Genus Epithet | |
| Species Epithet | |
| Infraspecific Epithet | |
| Name Status (botanical) | |
| Common Names |
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 3.7 m to 6 m |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Large herbaceous plant growing to about 3-6 m tall. |
| Foliage | The banana leaf-like leaves are green and lanceolate with wavy leaf margins (up to 85 cm long). There is a distinct groove along the midrib. |
| Stems | The aboveground stem is produced from an underground, horizontal stem known as a rhizome. |
| Flowers | The cone-shaped, terminal, spike inflorescence is composed of numerous showy red bracts with white margins. The true flowers are small, inconspicuous and yellow. The flower stalk (or peduncle) is produced from the underground horizontal stem (known as a rhizome) and grows up to 1 m tall. |
| Fruits | The hairy, green-red fleshy fruits are produced in a large head (10 cm long, 10 cm wide). They are indehiscent capsules with a warty or ridged surface. |
| Cultivation | It grows best in semi-shade in well-drained, consistently moist soil. Apply mulch to help maintain soil moisture. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts (Edible Flowers) Food (Herb and Spice : The floral stalk is added to curries and noodle soups.) |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
| Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance | Moist Soils |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird Attracting |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Propagation Method | Division |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Red |
| Flower Texture(s) | Waxy, Thick / Fleshy |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flower Lifespan on Plant | Several Weeks |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) - Angiosperms and Gymnosperms | Green, Red |
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth, Hairy / Hirsute |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type 1 | Indehiscent Dry Fruit |
| Fruit Type 2 | Capsule |
Image Repository
| Images |
Others
| Master ID | 696 |
| Species ID | 1991 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
