img

Hellenia speciosa

(J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta (2013)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Monocots Order: Zingiberales Family: Costaceae Genus: Hellenia

crape ginger, crepe ginger, crepe ginger, malay ginger, Malay ginger, spiral flag, spiral flag

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Perennial herbs 0.5–4 m tall.

Stems: Stems branched in upper ½.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Alternate. Blades oblong, oblanceolate, or lanceolate, (5–)12–25(–45) cm long, (1.5–)3–6(–12) cm wide. Surfaces glabrous or Upper surfaces appressed pubescent; lower surfaces silky pubescent. Margins entire. Petioles (2–) 5–8 mm long, pubescent, ligules truncate, 1–2 mm long, minutely pubescent or glabrous, sheaths green tinged red, minutely pubescent or glabrous. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers numerous in ellipsoid, ovoid, or globose heads 2.5–7 cm long, elongating up to ca. 13 cm long with age, 3–5 cm wide, primary bracts tinged red or bright red to purplish red, ovate, coriaceous, densely sericeous or glabrous, with a narrow, fleshy, subapical mucro 2.2–4.5 cm long, 0.7–2.5 cm wide, bracteoles narrow, red–tinged along margins, ca. 1–2.2 cm long, glabrous or pubescent. Flowers bisexual (perfect), zygomorphic. Calyx 3-lobed, 2–3 cm long, glabrous or pubescent. Corolla white or purple tinged, glabrous, the tube equaling or shorter than calyx, the lobes 3–6.5 cm long. Stamens 6 in 2 whorls of 3, but only the posterior one of the inner whorl fertile, the other 2 of the inner whorl adnate to the 3 members of the outer whorl to form a petaloid, often showy, 3–5-lobed labellum, fertile stamen large, petaloid, adnate to the floral tube at base and exserted from the funnel of the labellum; anther dithecal, the cells usually well–separated, often appendaged at apex. Labellum white with a yellow median band and yellow pubescent at throat, broadly obovate, 8–10 cm wide when spread out, the margins crenate; stamen ca. 2.5 cm long, 1.2–1.5 cm wide. Ovary inferior ca. 8 mm long, pubescent.

Fruit: Fruit red; ellipsoid; 1–2.5 cm in diameter; minutely sericeous; crowned by the persistent calyx. Seeds black; angular; ca. 3 mm long; with a white aril.

Ploidy: 2n = 13; 17–27 (irregular); 36; 72

Habitat:

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Synonyms (39)

Amomum arboreum Lour. (1790)
Amomum hirsutum Lam. (1791)
Banksea speciosa J.Koenig (1783)
Cardamomum arboreum (Lour.) Kuntze (1891)
Cheilocostus potierae (F.Muell.) M.G.Harr. & Zich (2012)
Cheilocostus speciosus (J.Koenig) C.D.Specht (2006)
Costus angustifolius Ker Gawl. (1823)
Costus arabicus (Misapplied)
Costus argyrophyllus Wall. (1832)
Costus crispiflorus Stokes (1812)
Costus foeniculaceus Noronha (1790)
Costus formosanus Nakai (1941)
Costus glaber (K.Schum.) Merr. (1924)
Costus glabratus Rchb. (1829)
Costus hirsutus Blume (1827)
Costus lamingtonii F.M.Bailey (1898)
Costus loureiroi Horan. (1862)
Costus nipalensis Roscoe (1826)
Costus potierae F.Muell. (1864)
Costus sericeus Blume (1827)
Costus speciosus (J.Koenig) Sm. (1791)
Costus speciosus var. angustifolius Ker Gawl. (1822)
Costus speciosus var. argyrophyllus Wall. ex Baker (1892)
Costus speciosus var. dilnavaziae M.R.Almeida & S.M.Almeida (1999)
Costus speciosus var. formosanus (Nakai) S.S.Ying (1988)
Costus speciosus var. glaber K.Schum. (1899)
Costus speciosus var. hirsutus (Blume) K.Schum. (1899)
Costus speciosus var. leocalyx Nakai (1941)
Costus speciosus var. nipalensis (Roscoe) Baker (1892)
Costus speciosus var. sericeus (Blume) K.Schum. (1899)
Costus spicatus var. pubescens Griseb. (1864)
Costus vaginalis Salisb. (1812)
Hellenia grandiflora Retz. (1791)
Hellenia speciosa var. dilnavaziae (M.R.Almeida & S.M.Almeida) S.R.Dutta (2013)
Kaempferia speciosa (J.Koenig) Thunb. (1825)
Planera speciosa (J.Koenig) Giseke (1792)
Pyxa speciosa (J.Koenig) M.R.Almeida (2009)
Pyxa speciosa var. dilnavaziae (M.R.Almeida & S.M.Almeida) M.R.Almeida (2009)
Tsiana speciosa (J.Koenig) J.F.Gmel. (1791)

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Lana'i Naturalized
Maui Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Birds

Vegetative Reproduction

Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Pleione 7: 228 (2013)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1381 (L [as Costus speciosus]); Wagner & Herbst 1995:18 (K); Oppenheimer & Bartlett 2000:4 (EM, WM); Staples & Herbst 2005:651 (KEY), 652 (DESCR); Frohlich & Lau 2008:5 (O); Specht & Stevenson 2006:159/Wagner et al. 2012:79 (COMBNOV:Syn. C. speciosus)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Scientific Name Authorship Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta PRESERVED_SPECIMEN w. j. kress & m. bordelon 94-5298 Oahu US 11/17/1994
2 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta haena, just before limahuli gardens on the side of the road. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN n. tangalin & c. trauernicht 1604 Kauai US 10/7/2007
3 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta west maui, lahaina district, honokahau valley. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN h. l. oppenheimer & c. annable h29909 Maui US 2/16/1999
4 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta West Maui, Lahaina District, Honokahau Valley. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN H. L. Oppenheimer & C. Annable H29909 Maui US 2/16/1999
5 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta lawai-kai; koloa district, lawai valley. allerton estate PRESERVED_SPECIMEN flynn, t. collector number: 5585 Kauai BISH 8/2/1994
6 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta honolulu; mr. ehrhorn's garden in manoa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o. collector number: 9770 Oahu BISH 8/21/1932
7 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta Honolulu; Mr. Ehrhorn's garden in Manoa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. 9770 Oahu BISH 8/21/1932
8 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta hulopoe gulch, forest reserve Naturalized in forest reserve. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o. degener, i. collector number: 28616 Lanai BISH 8/13/1963
9 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta along limahuli stream banks makai of road Growing with java plum and other gingers, in area used for growing taro. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN corn, c. Kauai BISH 6/16/1978
10 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta Lawai-Kai; Koloa District, Lawai Valley. Allerton Estate PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Flynn, T. 5585 Kauai BISH 8/2/1994
11 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta Honolulu; Parmelee's Nursery, Kapahulu Avenue PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Neal, M.C. s.n. Oahu BISH 6/16/1930
12 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta east maui, hana district, near keanae along hana hwy Spreading at least vegetatively; small populations common in area. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN oppenheimer, h.l. collector number: h89932 Maui BISH 8/22/1999
13 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta Hulopoe Gulch, Forest Reserve Naturalized in forest reserve. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. 28616 Lanai BISH 8/13/1963
14 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta Haena; Kuhio Hwy. near Limahuli Stream Abundant on both sides of highway, in shade. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Nagata, K.M. 3849 Kauai BISH 5/28/1988
15 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta Honolulu; Foster Botanic Garden PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lau, J. 1489 Oahu BISH 10/3/1985
16 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta Koloa, NTBG, Lawai Valley, Pump 6, behind Chalet PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lorence, D.H. 9480 Kauai BISH 10/14/2005
17 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta honolulu; parmelee's nursery, kapahulu avenue Mesic to wet pasture. Associated vegetation: Ulex, Psidium guajava, Andropogon virginicus. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN neal, m.c. collector number: s.n. Maui BISH 6/16/1930
18 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta Along Limahuli Stream banks makai of road Growing with java plum and other gingers, in area used for growing taro. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Corn, C. Kauai BISH 6/16/1978
19 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta koloa district. allerton gardens in lawai valley, on e side of lawai stream. In "cutting garden" with many gingers, heliconias, etc. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN lorence, d.h. chapin, m.; flynn, t. collector number: 7779a Kauai BISH 5/15/1996
20 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta W Maui, Lahaina District, Honokahua Valley Sparingly naturalized along stream and roadside. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Oppenheimer, H.L. H29909 Maui BISH 2/16/1999
21 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta Waimea Botanical Garden Naturalizing throughout the valley. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN OED s.n. Oahu BISH 1/25/2007
22 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta Along Limahuli Stream banks makai of road Growing with java plum and other gingers, in area used for growing taro. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Corn, C. Not on sheet Kauai BISH 6/16/1978
23 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta Lihue, Wailua River State Park, N fork of River with Hibiscus tiliaceus, Mangifera indica PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lorence, D.H. 8033 Kauai BISH 7/21/1997
24 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta Manoa Valley PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Karen M. Meyer|Andrew Townesmith Meyer 379 Oahu HAPI 5/14/2008
25 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta Koloa District. Allerton Gardens in Lawai Valley, on E side of Lawai Stream. In "cutting garden" with many gingers, heliconias, etc. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lorence, D.H. 7779A Kauai BISH 5/15/1996
26 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta Lihue, Wailua River State Park, N fork of River with Hibiscus tiliaceus, Mangifera indica PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lorence, D.H. Smith, G.; Smith, K. Collector Number: 8033 Kauai BISH 7/21/1997
27 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta honolulu; foster botanic garden PRESERVED_SPECIMEN lau, j. collector number: 1489 Oahu BISH 10/3/1985
28 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta Koloa, NTBG, Lawai Valley, Pump 6, behind Chalet PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lorence, D.H. Murphy, M. Collector Number: 9480 Kauai BISH 10/14/2005
29 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta East Maui, Hana District, near Keanae along Hana Hwy Spreading at least vegetatively; small populations common in area. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Oppenheimer, H.L. H89932 Maui BISH 8/22/1999
30 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta waimea botanical garden Naturalizing throughout the valley. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN oed frohlich, d.; lau, a. Oahu BISH 1/25/2007
31 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta koloa, ntbg, lawai valley, pump 6, behind chalet PRESERVED_SPECIMEN lorence, d.h. murphy, m. collector number: 9480 Kauai BISH 10/14/2005
32 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta W Maui, Lahaina District, Honokahua Valley Sparingly naturalized along stream and roadside. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Oppenheimer, H.L. Annable, C. Collector Number: H29909 Maui BISH 2/16/1999
33 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta lihue, wailua river state park, n fork of river with Hibiscus tiliaceus, Mangifera indica PRESERVED_SPECIMEN lorence, d.h. smith, g.; smith, k. collector number: 8033 Kauai BISH 7/21/1997
34 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta w maui, lahaina district, honokahua valley Sparingly naturalized along stream and roadside. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN oppenheimer, h.l. annable, c. collector number: h29909 Maui BISH 2/16/1999
35 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta Ha'ena State Park, Kauai Island, along roadside, walking away from beach parking lot. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Karen M. Meyer|Andrew Townesmith Meyer 379 Missouri Botanical Garden 5/14/2008
36 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta ha'ena state park, kauai island, along roadside, walking away from beach parking lot. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN karen m. meyer|andrew townesmith meyer 379 MO 5/14/2008
37 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta honolulu, territory of hawaii PRESERVED_SPECIMEN o. degener 10474 NY 10/2/1935
38 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta hulopoe gulch, lanai PRESERVED_SPECIMEN o. degener 28616 NY 8/13/1963
39 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta haena, just before limahuli gardens on the sides of the road. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN n. tangalin 1604 NY 10/7/2007
40 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta National Tropical Botanical Garden in Lawai Valley. Pump 6, Zingiberales collection behind Chalet (pumpkeeper's cottage). Cultivated. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN David H. Lorence 9480 Kauai PTBG 10/14/2005
41 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta Lawai Valley. The Allerton Estate at Lawai-Kai. Cultivated plants. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tim Flynn 5585 Kauai PTBG 8/2/1994
42 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta Allerton Gardens in Lawai Valley, on E side of Lawai Stream, in "cutting garden". PRESERVED_SPECIMEN David H. Lorence 7779A Kauai PTBG 5/15/1996
43 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta Haena, just before Limahuli Gardens on the sides of the road. Growing in wet shade. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Natalia Tangalin 1604 Kauai PTBG 10/7/2007
44 Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta Wailua River State Park along north fork of Wailua River; elevation 20-25 m. Secondary forest. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN David H. Lorence 8033 Kauai PTBG 7/21/1997
Back to Top