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Hedychium coronarium J.Koenig

Family Name:	Zingiberaceae
Synonyms:	Hedychium coronarium var. chrysoleucum (Hook.) Baker, Hedychium coronarium var. maximum (Roscoe) Eichler, Hedychium chrysoleucum Hook., Hedychium flavescens var. chrysoleucum (Hook.) C.E.C.Fisch., Hedychium gandasulium Buch.-Ham. ex Wall., Hedychium lingulatum Hassk., Hedychium prophetae Buch.-Ham. ex Wall., Hedychium sulphureum Wall., Amomum filiforme W.Hunter, Gandasulium coronarium (J.Koenig) Kuntze, Gandasulium lingulatum (Hassk.) Kuntze
Common Name:	Butterfly Ginger, White Ginger Lily, Garland Flower, White Ginger, Ginger Lily, Gandasuli, 姜花

The Butterfly Ginger (Hedychium coronarium) is a herbaceous perennial with erect, pseudostems growing up to 1.5 - 2 metres tall. It is named after the white fragrant flowers that resemble the shape of a flying butterfly. While grown in Singapore as an ornamental, the flowers are used extensively in garlands in India, Japan, and Hawaii.

Full Sun

Semi Shade

Lots of Water

Moderate Water

Fruit or Vegetable

Fragrant Plant

Ornamental Flowers

Ornamental Leaves

Herbaceous Plant

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Herbaceous Plant
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Mode of Nutrition

Autotrophic

Biogeography

Native Distribution	Himalayas to southern China
Native Habitat	Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal

Local Conservation Status

Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only)

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form	It is a rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial that grows upright about 1 - 2.5 m tall, often forming dense colonies.
Foliage	The leaves are green, smooth, glossy, oblong to narrow-lanceolate, up to 30 - 60 cm long and 10 - 15 cm wide. The leaves are arranged alternately in two ranks, i.e. distichously.
Stems	The erect aboveground 'stems' are pseudostems, a shoot formed from a series of leaf sheaths tightly wrapped around one another, and can reach 1.5 - 2 m tall. The true stems are underground ginger-like rhizomes (thick, horizontal modified stems).

Flowers	The inflorescence is a thryse with each ovate, green bract subtending clusters of 2 - 3 butterfly-like flowers. What appear to be petals on the flowers are staminodes (sterile stamens), and the actual petals are fused into a corolla tube ending in three dangling, narrow lobes. The largest staminode is a fused pair called a lip and can be lightly or conspicuously tinged with yellow. The flowers are white and fragrant, similar to gardenias and jasmines; the scent is strongest at night to attract nocturnal pollinators like moths.
Fruit	The fruit is a fleshy loculicidal capsule (a dry, dehiscent capsule that spilts in the middle of the locules). It is bright orange and spilts to reveal red seeds covered in red arils.
Habitat	It grows in humus-rich, shaded or semi-shaded areas subjected to waterlogging. It is usually found along water margins and occurs on the edges of shaded secondary forests growing from 0 - 2500 m above sea level.
Associated Fauna	The flowers are pollinated by hawk moths, and the fruits are likely eaten by insects. In Singapore, the Butterfly Ginger is a caterpillar host plant for the Chocolate Demon (Ancistroides nigrita) and Grass Demon Udaspes folus).
Cultivation	It does well in fertile, well-drained, organic-rich soil and grows in bright, direct or indirect sunlight or under partial shade. It can grow in soil subjected to waterlogging. It can be propagated by division via rhizomes.
Etymology	The genus Hedychium is derived from Ancient Greek, hedys "sweet" and chios "snow", referring to the white flowers of the type specimen, H. coronarium. The specific epithet coronarium means "wreath, garland", suggesting its use in floral arrangements and garlands.
Ethnobotanical Uses	Edible Plant Parts : Edible Flowers, Edible Storage Organs Food (Fruit or Vegetable): In Thailand, the young buds and flowers are lightly steamed and eaten with chilli sauce. The rhizomes are edible and have been used for starch extraction. Medicinal: The mashed stem is used to treat cuts and swellings. The ground rhizome can be used to treat fever. Seeds are also aromatic, used to relieve flatulence problems. Traditionally, the rhizome and stems are used to relieve headache. Cut - Dried Flower: The fragrant flowers are used extensively in garlands (or leis) in India, Japan and Hawaii. Cultural / Religious: It is the national flower of Cuba and is used in bouquets for brides, on altars and as offerings for the dead. Others: The aromatic essential oil from the flowers is used to make perfumes, soaps, and other cosmetic products. Native Hawaiians use the juice of mature seed heads as a shampoo and hair conditioner. The juice is said to soften and bring shine to the hair.

Landscaping Features

Landscaping	It is suitable for sunny parts of parks and gardens and waterlogged or occasionally flooded areas.
Desirable Plant Features	Fragrant (Flowers), Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses	General, Parks & Gardens, Riverine, Flowerbed / Border

Thematic Landscaping	Fragrant / Aromatherapy Garden, Bioswales / Sunken Garden, Butterfly Garden
Usage Hazard - Cons	Invasive / Potentially Invasive
Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks	Invasive Potentially Invasive: This species have been declared as invasive in some countries as it takes over shallow water systems, along streams and in waterlogged areas.

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna	Caterpillar Moth Food Plant (Leaves), Moth Food Plant (Flower Nectar)
Pollination Method(s)	Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Butterfly, Moth))
Seed or Spore Dispersal	Abiotic (Water), Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Ant, Beetle))

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Semi-Shade, Full Sun
Water Preference	Lots of Water, Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate	Fast to Moderate

Rootzone Tolerance	Moist Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils, Waterlogged Soils
Transplanting Tolerance	Moderate
Maintenance Requirements	Low
Pest(s)	Chewing Insects
Propagation Method	Seed, Division, Storage Organ (Rhizome)

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Smooth, Glossy / Shiny, Thin

Foliar Modification	Flower/Fruit Bract
Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem	Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Oblong, Lanceolate)
Foliar Venation	Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin	Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip	Acuminate
Foliar Base	Cuneate
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio	3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot)

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification	Herbaceous, Pseudostem
Root Type	Underground (Fibrous Root)
Specialised Storage Organ(s)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality	Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s)	White, Yellow / Golden
Flower Texture(s)	Thin

Flower Grouping	Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location	Terminal
Flower Symmetry	Bilateral
Inflorescence Type	Thryse
Ovary Position	Inferior / Epipgynous
Flowering Habit	Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Orange, Yellow / Golden
Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit
Fruit Type	Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule

Mature Seed Colour(s)	Red
Mature Seed Texture(s)	Ridged / Corrugated
Seed Description	Red seeds covered in red aril, deeply divided into narrow lobes
Seed Quantity Per Fruit	Several (11-20)

References

References	Rojas-Sandoval, J. & Acevedo-Rodríguez, P. Hedychium coronarium (white butterfly ginger lily). In: CABI Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/cabicompendium.26678 (Accessed 11 April 2025)

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Master ID	767
Species ID	2062
Flora Disclaimer	The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.

Species record last updated on: 11 April 2025.