INVASIVE ALIEN PLANTS:
GINGER LILIES
Hedychiumm spp.
Family: Ginger (Zingiberaceae)
Afrikaans: Gemmerlelies
isiZulu: ujinja
Description:
• A large leafy herb that can reach between 1 and 3 m in height
• Lance-shaped leaves coming from stems or basal stock
• Fragrant flowers are borne in long 25-30 cm spikes
• Capsules contain seeds that are initially red then turn grey
• Found in open habitats in warm moist climates
• Fruits are capsules
• H. coccineum: Red ginger lily / Red flowers and pink stamens
• H. garderianum: Kahili ginger lily / Yellow flowers and red stamens
• H. coronarium: White ginger lily / White flowers sometimes yellow at the base
• H. flavescens: Yellow ginger lily / Yellow flowers sometimes reddish-yellow at the base
Origin:
• Native to moist tropical forests of Central and South eastern Asia
Reason for Introduction:
• Cultivated the world over as ornamentals
Where found / Problems caused:
• Used as a very attractive garden plant, the seeds are spread by birds and monkeys
• In parts of its introduced range, such as Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, La Réunion and the Macaronesian Archipelagos, beauty has turned to beast; the very characteristics which gained them favour in gardens, such as hardiness and capacity for rapid, vegetative growth, have allowed them to naturalise in the wild and smother many unique and specialised communities, threatening delicate ecosystems, especially forest ground flora and associated fauna
• Kahili ginger has earned a place as one of the world’s 100 worst invasive alien species and biological control is considered the only practical and sustainable approach for the long-term management of large infestations in native forests
Did you know?:
• Belongs to the same family as edible ginger (Zingiber officinale), but has no culinary value
• Such is their aesthetic appeal, they are showcased in the finest Hawaiian leis (floral and leaf garlands)
• Their scientific name is derived from the Greek “hedys” meaning sweet and “chion”, meaning snow and is based on the type species for the genus Hedychium coronarium, the sweetly fragrant and best known ornamental ginger, which Cuba adopted as their official national flower in the 19th Century as a symbol of purity, rebelliousness and independence
Control:
• It can be controlled in the early stages by removing the plants with all the tuberous roots
• Once it has spread, the use of chemicals may prove essential to successful eradication
• As many people maintain these plants in their gardens, regular checks in forest areas are necessary
• It is very helpful to cut the finished flower-heads before they come to fruit, to limit the spread by seed
Additional General Information:
• This is the last edition in this IAP series. We hope we have been successful in creating some awareness in terms of the following:
• Understanding the problem;
• Identifying some of our invasive alien plants;
• Knowing why and how to intervene; and
• Remember to always
Acknowledgements:
The Pennington Conservancy acknowledges with sincere thanks the assistance received from various sources in the preparation of this leaflet.
• The Mtunzini Conservancy for the ideal
• Invasive Alien Plants in KwaZulu-Natal Management and Control: A Wildlife
Handbook, produced by WESSA-KZN
• http://www.karkloofconservation.org.za/index.php/conservation-issues/alien-plants.htm
• http://cabiinvasives.wordpress.com/2011/02/01/wild-gingers-%E2%80%93-beastly-beauties/
• http://www.vumba-nature.com/conservation.htm
• http://www.europe-aliens.org/pdf/Hedychium_gardnerianum.pdf
• http://www.europe-aliens.org/speciesFactsheet.do?speciesId=5464
It is hoped that this series will create awareness in respect of Invasive Alien Plants and guide and advise us in terms of what is required to control and manage these plants
Should you have any questions or require further clarity, please contact:
penningtonconservancy@gmail.com
Disclaimer:
Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and completeness, neither the Pennington Conservancy, nor any person or entity involved with the compilation of this 12 part series, accept any accident arising from the use of the products noted or guidelines provided.
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