Zingiberales: Genus Etlingera and Zingiber

These gingers are native to South/South East Asia and can be commonly found in the jungles and road ditches in Peninsula Malaysia.

Etlingera venusta is a pretty ginger. It is however quite fussy in its requirements and does not grow well under constant hot (>30C) environments. It is found from 800-1200m altitude in the hills of Peninsula Malaysia. The rhizome shown here came along with an inflorescence. It was purchased from Orang Aslis (native people) in Cameron Highlands when I enquired about these plants. Apparently, they have to go deep into the jungles of Kelantan (Gua Musang) from the muddy logging roads of Kampung Rajah to get this clump.

Zingiber spectabile comes in many colors and forms. Here is a beige color form photographed in Taman Negara, Pahang. This is a large growing Zingiber; often reaching heights of 10 feet and it grows in dim to fairly shaded forest conditions in rich yellow loam/clayish soil.

Here is another color form of Z spectabile (Cameron Highlands 1500m)

2 comments on “Zingiberales: Genus Etlingera and Zingiber”

  1. 2 Jul 2009 at 2:07 pm OO
    reply

    In the wild, venusta fiery patches stand out brilliantly against the low-light jungle floor. We stumbled on some recently. See picture here – http://outskirtoutreach.org/ladies-adventure-malaysia-ipoh-jungle-tour/. You are right. It only grow well in cooler environment, mainly along streams in the jungle.

  2. 2 Jul 2009 at 2:53 pm islaverde
    reply

    OO: nice blog! will link you. There are many ‘earth’ gingers in Malaysia; they belong mostly to the genera Etlingera, Hornstedtia and Geostachys.


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