Dichorisandra thyrsiflora

Dichorisandra thyrsiflora or blue ginger is a species of tropical flowering plant which resembles ginger in growth and habit, but is actually related to the spiderworts (the genus Tradescantia). The plant is native to the tropical woodlands of North, Central and South America, especially in Atlantic Forest vegetation in Brazil. Of the family Commelinaceae, it is cultivated for its handsome spotted stems and large shiny foliage which is held horizontally, surmounted by striking blue flowers.

For the Asian plant, see Galangal.

Dichorisandra thyrsiflora
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Commelinales
Family: Commelinaceae
Genus: Dichorisandra
Species:
D. thyrsiflora
Binomial name
Dichorisandra thyrsiflora

It was first described by the naturalist Johann Christian Mikan in 1823.[1]

D. thyrsiflora was first grown in England in 1822, and is recorded from Sir William MacArthur's catalogue in 1857 of plants he grew in Camden southwest of Sydney.[2] It has become naturalised in a small region of northeastern New South Wales in Australia.[3]

The Latin specific epithet thyrsiflora means “with flower clusters resembling thyme”.[4]

This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.[5][6]

References
  1. "Dichorisandra thyrsiflora". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  2. Colin Mills (12 March 2009). "Dichorisandra thyrsiflora Mikan". Hortus Camdenensis. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  3. Peter G. Wilson (1993). "Dichorisandra thyrsiflora J.G.Mikan". Plantnet - New South Wales Flora Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  4. Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 184533731X.
  5. "RHS Plantfinder - Dichorisandra thyrsiflora". Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  6. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 16. Retrieved 24 January 2018.


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