crepe ginger, Malay ginger, spiral ginger

Also known as Costus speciosus. This plant is native to southeast Asia, New Guinea and many Pacific islands. It is however an introduced invasive on some islands including the Cook Islands, Fiji, and Hawaii. The species reproduces vegetatively by rhizome and birds disperse seeds when they feed on the fruits. It grows in low lying areas in the forest and is often found along roadside ditches. It is cultivated in India for its medicinal uses and elsewhere as an ornamental. It differs from common ginger by having only one row of spirally arranged leaves.