Featured Plant

Hedychium gardnerianum, or kahili ginger, is a floriferous and fragrant perennial from the Eastern Himalayas. These fragrant and striking blooms have made kahili ginger a popular ornamental around the world.

​

Hedychium gardnerianum is native to India, Nepal, and Bhutan. In these regions it is found in subtropical, montane forests in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas. European botanists first became aware of this species through collections made near Kathmandu, Nepal in the early 19th century and it was introduced to horticulture in England soon after. From that first introduction it became a popular ornamental plant and spread globally throughout the last two centuries, though not without some consequence. Hedychium gardnerianum has naturalized in regions around the world including the Caribbean, Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand. Unfortunately, in some of these regions it is considered invasive and is a serious threat to local biodiversity.

​

The common name kahili ginger originates from its introduction to the Hawaiian Islands. The plant is said to resemble the kāhili feather staffs carried by Hawaiian aliʻi, or chiefs. Some in Hawaii are moving away from the use of this common name kahili ginger, as it can cause confusion and encourage the idea that H. gardnerianum is native to the Islands, instead of an invasive species.

​