Backscratcher, Pineapple ginger, Giant spiral ginger, Indonesian wax ginger
Tapeinochilos ananassae

Family: Costaceae

What it is like

A herb which keeps growing from year to year. It has underground stems. It grows 1.3-2.6 m high. It spreads 0.6-0.9 m wide. The branches are widely spaced in a spiral. The leaves are sword shaped. The flowers are tube shaped. They are orange-yellow. The bracts are pointed and waxy red. They are on a separate leafy stalk.

There are 15-20 Tapeinochilos species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows well in moist and humid locations. It needs fertile, organically-rich, well-drained soil. It needs bright filtered sunlight. In Cairns Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Hawaii, Indonesia (country/location of origin), Malaysia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, USA

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from bulbils or seed.

Its other names

Local names

Bunga kasturi

Synonyms

Costus ananassae Hassk.; Costus pungens Teijsm. & Binn.; Tapeinochilos australis K. Schum.; Tapeinochilos pungens (Teijsm. & Binn.) Miq.; Tapeinochilos queenslandiae (F. M. Bailey) K. Schum.; Tapeinochilosteysmannianus Warb.;