The Story of a Bloom

Ginger leaf

Pod with buds emerging

Pearl-like buds

Buds with flowers coming out

The flower’s red throat

The entire plant

****************************************

This Variegated Shell Ginger (Alpinia zerumbet) usually just has beautiful leaves.  Occasionally in the spring it will bloom.   It starts with a pod spitting out the flower buds.  Once they emerge, the buds look like shiny pearls.  The pearls then spit out a flower complete with a flaming red pathway to lead in a pollinator.

---