Kahili ginger (Hedychium gardnerianum)

Also known as Yellow Ginger Lily, Wild Ginger, Kahila Garland -lily, spotted at the doctors rooms. This beauty is quite tall, looks me in the eye, and the length of the flower head must be close to 30 cm+ . .

Description given as:

Perennial plant, 1-2m high.
Leaves are alternate, ovate-elliptic, 20-60cm long and 8-18cm wide.
Flowers are produced in attractive spikes, 12-45cm long.
Flowers are lemon-yellow with conspicuous red stamens.
Bright red mature seed heads, 1.5-1.8cm long.

Habitat

Prefers wet habitats and fertile soils between sea level and 1700m.
Known to invade rainforests, montane forests, agricultural areas, coastland, disturbed areas, natural forests, planted forests, range/grasslands, riparian corridors, scrub/shrublands, urban areas and wetlands.

Distribution

Native to India and Nepal.
Occurs in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and South East and Far North Queensland.

Life cycle

Observed to live for 70 years with no signs of dying out.
Can flower all year round.

Spread

Seed mainly spread by birds.
Also spreads by people dumping unwanted plants.

Kahili ginger is a Class 3 declared pest plant under Queensland legislation also regarded as a major weed in New Zealand,and the USA.