African Ginger (Siphonochilus aethiopicus) 非洲蘭花薑

 

Flower image see the reference links.  花照請看以下網站的資料連結.

 

This rare, fragrant wild ginger flowers somewhat resemble orchid, even its rhizomes smells like violets!  Tropical perennial.  Native in south-eastern regions of southern Africa.  I was surprise how small these bulbs are and wondering how long will take them to flower…  The bulbs are firm and fragrant at least — signs of vitality!  🙂  Medicinal herb.  Mauve flowers with yellow and white spot in the center in summer.  Best growing in partial shade to light shade location in moist soil.  Prefer humid warm climate.  Easy to grow.  USDA Zones:9-11. Plant will dormant in winter so watering should be reduced. Mature size:1′(H) X 1′(W).  Propagate by seeds, bulb/tuber/rhizome, division.  Suitable for container planting.

這種稀有,芳香的原生薑的花朵很類似蘭花的花形,它的塊莖聞起來像是紫羅蘭混合著少許薑香!  熱帶多年生.  原生於南非的東南部地區.  我買來時它的球是出乎意外的小,比彈珠大些而已,所以也不知要種到多大才能開花…  至少球是紮實有香味–充滿生機的跡象!  🙂  它是藥草.  夏開有香味的淡紫色花,花心為黃色帶有白色.  以半日照到散光處用溼潤的土壤種植.  容易栽種.  耐熱不耐寒.  冬天會休眠要減少給水.  成熟株高1呎,寬幅亦同.  繁殖以種子,球根/塊根/地下莖或分株來進行.  適合室內盆植.

Reference links: 參考網站資料連結:

http://lifestyleseeds.co.za/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=591&category_id=18&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=71&vmcchk=1&Itemid=71

http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/Siphonochilus

http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantqrs/siphonaeth.htm

http://www.strangewonderfulthings.com/352.htm