Smile of Earth- 7

Ginger family flowers

White Ginger Lily- Hedychium coronarium (Saugandhikapoo)

Ginger family (Zingiberaceae) is a family of flowering plants with aromatic perennial herbs.

Flowers may be showy or inconspicuous, as seen in these pictures. When inconspicuous, they are seen in showy cymose inflorescences, formed by conspicuous, spirally arranged bracts (leaflike structures). These flower clusters are cone-like in appearance. The Zingiberaceae flowers resemble orchid flowers.

Many species are economically important as ornamental plants, spices, or are used in traditional medicine. A few examples of this family are Ginger, Turmeric, Cardamom, Arrowroot etc.

The Insulin plant is a relative of this family.

Wild ginger- Zingiber zerumbet  (Mala inji)

Insulin plant- Costus igneus

Red ginger- Alpinia purpurata

Smile of Earth- 6

Spadix Inflorescence 

Anthurium

A Spadix is a type of inflorescence found in the Araceae family.

It consists of a spathe, which is simply a large leaf-like bract, colourful or showy, to attract pollinators. Spadix is the cylindrical inflorescence, basically a spike, with small flowers on a thickened, fleshy axis and it is protected by the spathe in bud stage.

Many Aroids are ornamental plants due to the Spadix and Spathe.

The sap of Aroids contains needle-like calcium oxalate crystals, which can be mildly toxic and can irritate hands and sensitive tissues. However, not all aroids are toxic and used as vegetable, including their leaves.

Some members of this family reproduce by seeds, whereas many have vegetative propagation.

The inflorescence of species such as Titan arum gives off a very pungent smell, often resembling rotten flesh.

Peace Lily

Wild Taro

Calla Lilly