Beehive Ginger

Zingiber spectabile Griff., family Zingiberaceae, called Beehive Ginger, Nodding Gingerwort, Microfono, is an erect plant, leaves are long and mostly oblong shaped, tapering to a single point at their tip. Under ideal circumstances, the plant can reach a height of 4.5 metres (15 ft), or even more. All parts of the plant have a strong gingery fragrance.

The bracts are pale yellow in a young inflorescence, becoming red as it matures, especially if it gets some full sun. The beehive-shaped bracts grow from the base of the plant on short spikes. The cones open to produce brown and yellow spotted flowers, the resulting combination looks like bees in a hive, giving the plant its name. The flowers are long lasting and around 10-15 cm long.

Native of India, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Thailand.