Gingers, Bananas & Allies - Zingiberales
Native / Non-native
Canna Lilies - Cannaceae
Golden Canna - Canna flaccida Common Garden Canna - Canna x generalis Indian Shot - Canna indica Spiral Gingers - Costaceae Crepe Ginger - Costus speciosa Spiral Ginger - Costus sp. Heliconias - Heliconiaceae Christmas Heliconia - Heliconia angusta Expanded Lobsterclaw - Heliconia latispatha False Bird of Paradise - Heliconia rostrata |
Arrowroots - Marantaceae
Stromanthe - Stromanthe thalia Powdery Thalia - Thalia dealbata Banana Family - Musaceae Banana - Musa x paradisiaca Golden Lotus Banana - Musella lasiocarpa Bird of Paradise Plants - Strelitziaceae Bird of Paradise - Strelitzia reginae Aiton Traveller's Palm - Ravenala madagascariensis |
Gingers - Zingiberaceae
Hainan Galangal - Alpinia hainanensis Chinese Galangal - Alpinia oblongifolia Dense-Bract Galangal - Alpinia stachyodes Shell Ginger - Alpinia zerumbet Variegated Shell Ginger - Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata' Turmeric - Curcuma aromatica White Ginger Lily - Hedychium coronarium Pretty Resurrection Lily - Kaempferia pulchra |
Canna Lilies - Cannaceae
Golden Canna Canna flaccida
Common Garden Canna 大花美人蕉 Canna x generalis
Indian Shot 美人蕉 Canna indica
Canna Lilies
Spiral Gingers - Costaceae
Crepe Ginger 閉鞘薑 Costus speciosus
Spiral Ginger Costus sp.
Heliconias - Heliconiaceae
Christmas Heliconia Heliconia angusta
Expanded Lobsterclaw 紅鶴蠍尾蕉 Heliconia latispatha
False Bird of Paradise 金鳥赫蕉 Heliconia rostrata
Arrowroots - Marantaceae
Stromanthe 紫背竹芋 Stromanthe thalia
Native to Brazil a widely used ornamental in Hong Kong, flowering in April.
Powdery Thalia 水竹芋 Thalia dealbata
Banana Family - Musaceae
Banana 大蕉 Musa x paradisiaca
Banana plants are the largest perennial herbaceous plants. They may grow up to 9 metres in height. They are a common sight near villages in the New Territories. While strictly a herb, it is sometimes referred to as a banana tree.
Golden Lotus Banana 地湧金蓮 Musella lasiocarpa
Native to Yunnan Province, this is an ornamental, close relative of the banana.
Bird of Paradise Plants - Strelitziaceae
Bird of Paradise 鶴望蘭 Strelitzia reginae Aiton
Traveller's Palm 旅人蕉 Ravenala madagascariensis
Originating in Madagascar but now widely grown as an ornamental in tropical regions around the world. It's not a true palm but related to the strelitzia. Recognisable by its enormous, paddle-shaped leaves.
Gingers - Zingiberaceae
Hainan Galangal 草豆蔻 Alpinia hainanensis
Native to Hong Kong but also used widely for ornamental purposes it flowers from April to June.
Chinese Galangal 華山薑 Alpinia oblongifolia
Dense-Bract Galangal 密苞山薑 Alpinia stachyodes
Shell Ginger 豔山薑 Alpinia zerumbet
A native ginger species, quite common as a forest shrub.
Variegated Shell Ginger 花葉豔山薑 Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata'
An ornamental version of shell ginger, grown widely in Hong Kong's parks.
Turmeric 郁金 Curcuma aromatica
White Ginger Lily 薑花 Hedychium coronarium
A common garden plant with fragrant, white flowers. It is also known as the butterfly lily as its petals resemble a cloud of flying butterflies. It is used as a traditional Chinese medicine.