Plant
Red Ginger
Alpinia purpurataAlso known as Ostrich Plume
Red Ginger is a tall clumping herb with glossy lance-shaped leaves arranged along upright pseudostems. Showy red or pink bracts form a dense cone around much smaller flowers and can remain conspicuous for weeks.
Tropical HerbRed BractsClumping Plant
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—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyPhotosynthetic; spreading rhizomes absorb moisture and nutrients from warm soils
Predators
- Caterpillars
- Snails
- Browsing mammals
ThreatsLocal plants face clearing, drought, cold exposure, root disturbance, and invasive management
HabitatsHumid tropical forest margins, stream edges, gardens, plantations, and disturbed shaded ground
Life spanEvergreen perennial that can persist and spread for many years
Classification
- OrderZingiberales
- FamilyZingiberaceae
- GenusAlpinia
- SpeciesAlpinia purpurata
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Leave wild clumps rooted and avoid breaking their long-lasting flowering stems.
Responsible observation
- Identify: Separate the tiny flowers from the large overlapping red bracts.
- Look: Follow leafy pseudostems down to a dense rhizomatous clump.
- Protect: Observe without cutting stems or dividing roots.
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