Wild Red Ginger (Alpinia purpurata)



Red Ginger (Alpinia purpurata)
Location:  Rainbow Falls State Park, Big Island, Hawaii

Here in Hawaii, Red Ginger (Alpinia purpurata) is sometimes used in people's gardens and yards as a landscaping plant, but this particular one was growing in the wild at Rainbow Falls State Park, which is just outside Hilo, on the eastern side of Hawaii's Big Island.  A trail at the park goes through a section of rain forest along the Wailuku River, and that's where I spotted this very healthy looking specimen.

26 comments:

Mojo said...

Are the roots of these also used as a spice, or is that a different ginger?

Mojo said...

Great photo by the way... I got so curious I forgot to mention. I love how the red stands out from the rest...

Mimi Lenox said...

This is an unusual shade of red. Very striking!

I am here with Ruby Tuesday and Naked On a Horse.

Anonymous said...

beautiful red!

Anonymous said...

That is a wonderful red plant! I like it...

Ralph said...

Why can't we have such great wild flowers in New England like you do in Hawaii? Oh yeah, it gets cold up here!

Happy Ruby Tuesday!

Leora said...

How pretty. It looks like a glamourous pine cone to me. Such bright vibrancy. And the plant has such lovely, flappy green leaves to catch all the sun rays and help that red shine.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful red ginger flower! I've got a couple of those near home too :)

Jim said...

This is a very pretty red blossom. You did good in taking the picture and in remembering it.
Thank you, and Happy RRtU!
..

DrillerAA said...

There are a lot of flower pics this week. I really like this one.
Have a wonderful Ruby Tuesday.

Norm said...

we have like that in the Philippines too, very beautiful flowers..here's mine sweetnorms and travelnorms..

Anonymous said...

That is beautiful plant and lovely flower!
Re: Yes I think it's Dash 8 and it's de Havilland Canada manufacturer! I added a link of u are interested!

Anonymous said...

Bright red flower. It look svery exotic.

Becky said...

That red color is beautiful. The plant is similar to the Bromeliads we have here in the South.

Barb said...

Just beautiful!

Regarding your comment about Longaberger and your SIL, I too use to sell them! I ran out of places to put them so I quit! :)

Anonymous said...

That is beautiful! Mine is HERE if you have a time! Thanks!

♥ Denise BC ♥ said...

Hi, see that big coincidence ... I also posted "red ginger" this week, but on another play, Today's Flowers.
Ruby wonderful.
hugs, Denise

Dianne said...

outstanding!!

Rambling Woods said...

Bobbie..I am happy to put a new tune in your head @:}. You really do such wonderful photography. You could come to Buffalo and shoot some wonderful snow scenes and I will stay at your place..LOL..

Felisol said...

Dear Bobbie,
your red ginger is an extraordinary sight. Should always be shown enlarged.
So knife sharp and those colors..
From Felisol

Raven said...

Beautiful plant. Beautiful photo.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photo and I'm always fond of some info.

MyMaracas said...

I've never seen ginger growing before. It's beautiful! Nicely composed photo, too.

RW said...

Beautiful shot Bobbie!

Gattina said...

I have never seen red Ginger plants ! didn't even know that it exists ! Thanks for the information, I learn every day !

BNS said...

Thanks to all my Ruby Tuesday friends for visiting.

@ Mojo - Ginger, the spice, comes from a different species of ginger -- but from the same family.

Bobbie