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Alpinia purpurata 'Alba'
| Family Name: | Zingiberaceae |
| Common Name: | White Cone Ginger |
This white-form of Alpinia purpurata, also known as White Cone Ginger, is a herbaceous perennial with erect, pseudostems growing up to 2 metres tall. It is named after its white bracts and pinecone-like flowering spikes.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
|---|---|
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a herbaceous plant with leafy pseudostems. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its leaves are dark-green, oblong. |
| Flowers | Its inflorescence is a spike, with white bracts and tubular flowers. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by division and aerial plantlets. |
| Etymology | The genus Alpinia is named in honour of Prosper Alpino (1553 - 1617), an Italian botanist who introduced coffee and bananas to Europe. The specific epithet purpurata means "purple", referring to the red or magenta floral bracts of the species. The cultivar 'Alba' means white, referring to the white bracts of this cultivar. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Hedge / Screening |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water, Occasional Misting |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Division, Aerial Plantlet |
| Propagation Method Remarks | By dividing rhizomes |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
|---|---|
| Specialised Storage Organ(s) | Underground (Rhizome) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Inflorescence Type | Spike |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 33086 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 7500 |
| 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. |
