Gingers for Florida Gardens

Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 100:153-155. 1987.

GINGERS FOR FLORIDA GARDENS

Derek Burch and Ellen W. Demmy The butterfly gingers (Hedychium coronarium and H. Horticultural Masterworks flavum) and shell ginger (Alpinia zerumbet) have fragrant 4044 SW 4th Street flowers that will perfume a whole patio area. These three Plantation, FL 33317 species are relatively hardy and will come through most winters undamaged in sheltered spots in the central part Henry Donselman of Florida. Others of these large-growing species will stop University of Florida, IFAS growth and may even show damage at 50 to 60°F. Etlingera Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center is the most tropical of these, but in south Florida well-estab 3205 College Avenue lished plants will usually grow back to a good size once Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314 warm weather returns. Bearing this possibility of winter injury in mind it is clear that these large clumping types are best used as a background planting, preferably with Additional index words. Zingiberaceae, Costaceae, Alpinia, other hardier plants in front of them to hide cold damage. Hedychium, Costus, Curcuma, Kaempferia, Scitaminae. All except Etlingera flower at the tips of the leafy shoots so that nothing is lost by hiding the lower parts of the plant. Abstract The gingers have long been favorites in south and Etlingera, the torch ginger, does need to have the base ex central Florida gardens. New species and cultivars are now posed in order to display the flowers which form on leaf available. A list of thetypes in use is given with a brief less shoots. Tapeinochilus ananassae produces its brilliant red description of each. flower head on a basal leafless shoot and the same is true of the genus Zingiber, the pinecone gingers. For the most The recent interest in new cut flowers that sparked a part the zingibers are also smaller and could not be used surge of research and experimentation with heliconias has as a backdrop for other plantings. They die back com spilled over into other members of the order Scitaminae. pletely in the winter leaving a bare patch for several The gingers have long been favorites for their fragrance months, and for this reason areoften grown in an out of and their tropical look in Florida gardens, but it is only the way area and their green or red cones cut for use in recentlythat some of the more exotic members of the fam flower arrangements. ily have become commercially available. The family was The species of the genus Curcuma also go dormant in reviewed by Sheehan a few years ago (1) in an illustrated the winter. Some such as C. pallida grow their spikes of paper so that this update seems to be a very appropriate flowers with attractively colored bracts on otherwise leaf less shoot. Others form the inflorescences at the top of a topic for the centennial meeting. The order Scitaminae or Zingiberales has been worked short leafy shoot. Other genera in which the plants are over by taxonomists in recent years with a typical disregard smaller may find a use as ground covers or for intimate for the time-honored notions of gardeners! It is only fair gardens, but are often grown in pots where their intricate beauty is more accessible. Globba has miniature upright- to admit that changes were overdue, and we present names and family relationships here in the full awareness that growing species in which the slender flowers are usually they may be completely outdated by the time of publica subtended by a bract of a contrasting color. The genus Kaempferia is known for its beautiful leaf coloration, and as tion. Among the changes in family alignments within the a bonus, the low-growing plants produce a single flower order that have been suggested is raising of two subfamilies each day for several weeks during the summer. of gingers to family level—the Zingiberaceae and Cos There are variegated forms among the larger plants taceae. The taxonomists are still not in agreement in this. that are valued for their color both in the garden and as From a gardener's point of view there are other ways of cut foliage. Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata' has striking green separating classes of gingers: large "background" plants and yellow sectored leaves, and A. sanderae and Costus versus the smaller ones that are best grown in pots, for speciosus 'Variegatus' have green and white leaves shown example, or those that flower at the tips of leafy shoots off by a trace of red in the stems. Zingiber zerumbet 'Darceyi' versus those that put up separate flower stalks, or those has white leaf margins. Costus stenophyllus has darker band that are evergreen versus those that die back to under ing on its reed-like green stems, and is also unusual in the ground organs for part of the year. Each of these influ genus in that its flowers form on short shoots at the base ences the choice of the best place to use the plant in the of the plant rather than at the top of the leafy shoots. Gingers are not grown primarily for culinary or medic garden. The genera whose species attain large size and that live inal purposes in Florida, but it is interesting to note that all year round in warm areas include Alpinia, Etlingera, Zingiber officinale is the source of the spice ginger, that Cur Hedychium, and Costus. All send up erect or arching leafy cuma domestica roots give the coloring and flavoring sub stance turmeric, and that the spice cardamon is the seed shoots from underground rhizomes. The common names spiral ginger and staircase ginger describe the arrange of Elettaria cardamomum. The inflorescences of species of ment of the leaves around the stem (and frequently spiral Zingiber produce a water soluble jelly which is said to be ling of the stem itself) in Costus. The other large-growing used as a shampoo in the Pacific, and other members of genera have shoots with two ranks of leaves that lie more the family are cultivated in various parts of the world as a starch source or for medicinal properties. or less in one plane.

Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 100: 1987. 153 Culture of the large species is simple provided they can reddish with 2 inch wide white flowers produced singly be given plenty of water. They respond well to fertilizer at intervals. applied several times during their growing season, and th C. speciosus 'Variegatus'. Slightly less vigorous than the rive with plenty of light, even full sun if water and fertilizer green form. Leaves white and green striped along their are supplied in adequate amounts. The clumps will become length. overcrowded in time, and it is a good practice to remove C. stenophyllus. Green straight stems to 8 ft cross banded at least some of the flowering shoots all the way to ground brown. Flowers yellow on a leafless shoot from base of level as the flowers fade. The smaller species are also heavy plant. feeders for their size, and like plenty of water but must not A number of other forms are grown, some with some be grown in poorly drained pots or other situations in color to the leaves, some with rigid red bracts forming an' which their roots are in standing water. attractive cone, one with yellow flowers on a tall all-green Propagation is usually by division of the rhizomes or plant. A number of names not yet assigned to any of the other underground structures. The deciduous species are forms listed here are also found in local catalogs—-C. afer, best handled just as growth begins in the spring while the C. barbatus, C. comosus, C. productus, and C. spicatus may all evergreen forms can be divided whenever growth can have been identified by the time of the next revision! occur. Globba winittii is now being produced in tissue cul Curcuma ture, as is Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata', and we may look for Short-stalked plants with a small number of broad more of the choice, slow to increase types to be propagated sword-shaped leaves. Inflorescence terminal or on a this way in the future. leafless lateral stalk, bracts usually showy, often greenish Pest and disease problems are rare. Mealybugs can at the base of the spike and pastel colored at the top. build up in some situations, and the softer leaf types such The leaves die down for the winter. as species of Kaempferia are sometimes badly hit by slugs. C. domestica. Turmeric. Broad leaves about 2 ft long. Flow The species and cultivars of gingers readily available in ers yellow, upper bracts pink. Grown here mostly as a Florida are described below. curiosity because the yellow-fleshed tubers give tur meric. Alpinia C. pallida. Broad leaves to 2 ft long with a reddish-brown Stems to 8 ft (in Florida), leaves two-ranked held in one stripe down midrib. Flowers yellow, upper bracts pastel plane. Inflorescences terminal, bracts usually more pink/purple. Inflorescence on a leafless stalk, sometimes showy than the flowers. while the leafy shoot is still growing after the winter A. purpurata. Red ginger. Bracts red (Pink in cvs. Eileen dormancy. McDonald and Pink Princess. A white form is known). C. petiolata. Leaves to about 18 inches long. Inflorescence Long-lasting as a cut flower. terminal, bracts greenish, purple tinged in upper part, A. sanderae. Variegated white and green, rather slender flowers yellow. leaves and stems. Flowers and bracts nondescript. C. roscoeana. Leaves to 2 ft long, deep green. Inflorescence A. zerumbet. Shell ginger. Flowers creamy white, pink tip terminal, flowers yellow, bracts deep orange-red. Test ped, bell-shaped in a pendulous inflorescence. ing out well as a cut flower and foliage. A. zerumbet 'Variegata'. Leaves boldly streaked with yellow. Elettaria A species with narrow leaves, green above and red below E. cardamomum. Cardamom. Erect or arching stems to 10 on stems to about 3 ft is in the trade without a name as ft with leaves in two ranks. Inflorescence on a leafless yet. stalk at base, not showy but forming the fruits that con Brachychilum tain seeds used as the spice. B. horsfieldii. Erect stems to 3 ft. Flowers pale followed by Etlingera fruits that open to display bright red seeds. E. elatior. Torch ginger. A massive plant with stems to 15 Burbidgea ft in tropical areas. Inflorescence on a separate leafless B. schizocheila. Erect stems to 18 inches. Leaves dark green, stalk, basal bracts surround a bouquet of flowers, the glossy. Flowers few, slender, deep orange. overall color ranging from deep red to pink. Costus Globba Stems erect, straight or spiraling, side branches inten Small (to about 1 ft) erect, leafy stems carry terminal sifying spiral appearance, leaves also set in a spiral. inflorescences of slender well-spaced flowers subtended Flowers delicate, often large, produced singly or in small by colored bracts. The plants are dormant through the numbers over a long period from each terminal inflores winter. cence. G. bulbifera. Cream colored flowers and yellowish bracts. C. "atrosanguineus". Leaves dark green above, burgundy Interesting chiefly for the bulbils in the axils of the lower below. Flowers creamy from red-green bracts. Grows to bracts that allow rapid propagation of the plants. about 4 ft and a smaller form is also grown. G. winitti. Bright yellow flowers and purple bracts. Leaves C. igneus. Dark green foliage on stems to about 3 ft. Bright grey-green. deep orange flowers about 2 inches wide. Hedychium C. malortieanus. Broad fuzzy pale green leaves on stems to Erect or arching stems to 6 ft with leaves variously ar 3 ft tall. Flowers relatively inconspicuous. ranged. Inflorescences terminal, the flowers usually in C. sanguineus. Leaves dark green above with lighter midrib, the axil of not very showy bracts. burgundy below. Flowers yellow from reddish-green H. coccineum. Erect stems to 6 ft with evenly spaced narrow bracts. grey-green leaves. Inflorescence crowded with deep C. speciosus. Crepe ginger. Spiralling canes to 8 ft. Bracts orange red flowers.

154 Proc. Fla. State HorL Soc. 100: 1987. H. coronarium. Butterfly lily. Spreading stems 4-6 ft tall. Monocostus Leaves dark green. Inflorescence of white fragrant flow M. uniflora. A miniature costus with green leaves and deep ers in the axil of green bracts. Very fragrant. chrome yellow flowers. H. flavum. Yellow butterfly gingerr. Similar to H. Tapeinochilus coronarium except in the yellow flowers. Fragrant. T. ananassae. Slender, erect but spiraling canes to about 6 H. gardnerianum. Kahili ginger. Erect stems with broad ft, leaves narrow. Inflorescence a waxy deep red cone leaves. Petals yellow with long red stamens standing out on a leafless shoot from the base of the plant. Long from the flower. Fragrant. lasting. H. greenei. Leaves dark green above, burgundy below. Zingiber Flowers deep red. Erect leafy shoots to 3 ft die back to the rhizome in Kaempferia winter. Inflorescence a "cone" of tightly appressed Almost stemless plants, usually with only two or three bracts on a leafless stem. leaves that grow from the dormant tuber in spring and Z. officinale. Ginger. A somewhat sparse grower unless in last all summer. Flowers produced one or two at a time shade and rich soil. Inflorescence greenish. for several weeks. Z. zerumbet. Pinecone ginger. Leafy shoots to 3 ft. Cones K. gilbertii. Green leaves edged with white, held at an angle. green at first becoming red with age, flowers white. Flowers white. Z. zerumbet 'Darceyi'. Leaves with a broad white margin. K. pulchra. Leaves beautifully marked with iridescent colors on a green base color held almost flat on the ground. Literature Cited Flowers pale lavender. K. rotunda. Leaves attractively marked, held upright. La i. Sheehan, T. J. 1958. Zingiberaceae for Florida. Proc. Fla. State Hort. vender flowers appearing at Easter time, before the Soc. 71:382-388. leaves.

Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 100:155-156. 1987.

STREET TREES FOR SOUTH FLORIDA

Michael J. Cullen Florida Division of Forestry sist primarily of black-olive and live oak, hardly a picture 3315 S.W. College Avenue of diversity. These trees replaced a monoculture of Jama- Davie, FL. 33314 cian tall coconut palm which has virtually been removed from the streets by lethal yellowing disease. Tree monocul Abstract. The urban landscape in south Florida presents a tures in the landscape will always run the risk of wide myriad of mundane sights which include bus benches, mail spread reduction of a municipal tree canopy. boxes, straight line building patterns, steel and glass. Fortu Tree removal companies responsible for keeping trans nately, the sub-tropical climate here allows cities to choose mission lines clear of tree branches cannot keep up with from a large selection of tree species which can add a dynamic the overwhelming number of trees that have grown into component to the urban landscape. utility lines. This is due to poor species selections being made when planting near street lights and utility lines. Both native and proven flowering exotic tree species There are many trees, some with magnificent flowers, that are available, some in limited quantities, for use as street are now being recommended for planting near these lines. trees. This report encourages the use of a diverse selection The most difficult areas to establish street trees are in of trees in the landscape and will not attempt to identify the very depressed and blighted neighborhoods. While all trees available for planting. Matching the tree species drought resistant species are encouraged, trees which pro and site, combined with a dose of creativity, can provide a duce food are often the best kept by the residents. Citrus, functional, aesthetically pleasing street scene. "Tree lists" mango, kumquat, guava and coconut are just a few of the used by some communities may not be for the "the good many trees that have the potential to be planted as street of the many" and constrains an architect's design freedom. trees and be a source of food while adding many other Properly placed street trees can moderate temperatures, amenities. Fruits littering streets and walkways would cer provide sight and sound barriers, filter air particulates, tainly be a concern in more affluent neighborhoods, but provide color and symmetry and are capable of producing not in impoverished areas because this food would be used. a feeling of "well being" or harmony among us. The Division of Forestry and the Fort Lauderdale Housing Considering that south Florida is synonomous with Authority made an attempt to bring coconut trees into a urban sprawl it is appropriate to attempt to soothe the low income neighborhood by first germinating four effects of urbanization by the addition of diverse street hundred Maypan Coconuts at the Housing Authority nur tree plantings. Unfortunately, to this point, the trees along sery. Shortly after the seed beds were established, seventy most city streets reflect a lack of diversity and poor plan nuts, or nearly one quarter, were lost to thieves. The husks ning. For instance, the central business districts in Hol and shells of the nuts were found a day later, empty, after lywood and Fort Lauderdale have tree canopies that con- they had been eaten.

Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 100: 1987. 155