Alpinia zerumbet

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Plant
ID 605 Alpinia zerumbet
Botanic Name Alpinia zerumbet
Common Name Shell Flower, Shell Ginger
Family Name Zingiberaceae
Cultivars 'Dwarf', 'Variegata Dwarf', 'Variegata', syn. Alpinia nutans, A. speciosa,
Origin Tropical Asia, Zone 10-12
Growth Type Perennial
Bark Type Soft wooded
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use Medium
No. of Species 6
Growth Habit Clumping Growth Rate Fast
Height 2 - 3 m (7 - 10 ft) Spread 1.5 m (5 ft)
Plant Overview
This rhizomatous perennial has upright foliage and forms a clump. It has glossy dark green broad waxy lanced-shaped leaves and the yellowish fragrant tube-shaped flowers appear in a drooping raceme during spring.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Lanceolate
The leathery textured leaves are broad-lanceolate and are up to 800 mm (31 ½ in) long by 120 mm (4 ¾ in) wide and may be variegated in yellow. They have an acuminate apex and the petiole is short up to 15 mm (2/3 in).
Arrangement Alternate
Margin Entire
Colour Glossy dark green
Size 300 - 800 mm ( 11.8 - 31.5 in )
Flower
Perfume Fragrant Additional Information
Shape Tubulate
The 25 mm (1 in) long orchid-like tubulate white flowers are tinged with purple and have a yellow variegated crinkled lip that is suffused in red. The flowers are arranged in a raceme that appears from late spring to early summer.
Inflorescence Raceme
Colour White
Size 15 - 25 mm ( 0.6 - 1.0 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Capsule Additional Information
Colour Brown
The vermilion globose ribbed capsule is up to 20 mm (¾ in) in diameter and the persistent calyx is attached to the apex. The small seeds are angled and very viable but the plant is commonly reproduced vegetatively.
Edible No
Bird Attractive No
Size 15 - 20 mm ( 0.6 - 0.8 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained to wet, fertile deep moist sandy loam, organic rich, pH 6.0-7.5
Container Pots, tubs, planter boxes, under glass in frost prone or cold climates
Climate Tropical
Aspect Semi shade to full sun, protected, humid position, frost and drought tender
Pest & Diseases Scale insect, leaf burn in hot sun, frost damages foliage
Fertiliser Add organic matter to the soil during spring, if container grown apply liquid fertiliser monthly
Pruning Cut old flowering stems back to ground level, tolerates a hard prune to rejuvenate or control
Cultural Uses Propagation
The Shell Flower is grown for its attractive foliage, clumping habit and its flowers. It is planted in the understory in parks and gardens for a tropical effect or used around a water feature. It is also planted along borders for screening.
Divide the rhizome during spring and place in a moist rich soil.
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