Unknown Flowers

[sarge]

A friend who lives where I do just had these to pop up and has no idea what they are. He has lived in the same place for 25 yrs. Anybody recognize these? We live on an island in S Ga.
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[tulsad]

Here is a link to a site where you could send your photo and ask for help with identifying it, Sarge. The stem of the plant looks so familiar, but the flower or cone is very unusual. Good luck!!

http://www.iheartgardening.com/

Here's their encyclopedia:

http://www.iheartgardening.com/Encyclopedia/

[sarge]

Thanks, Tulsad. I will let you know what we find out.

[SavannahStar]

It's definitely a bromeliad. Start with that.

[Siddalee]

It's type of ginger - I have some in my yard. I call it a "red cone ginger," but it's also known as "pinecone ginger," but the botanical name is Zingiber.

[tulsad]

Thanks, Siddalee!! I've been waiting for Sarge to get back to us - I was really curious about what it is. The stalk reminds me of bamboo.

Sarge - here's a link to some more info, if your friend is interested.

http://www.floridata.com/ref/Z/zing_zer.cfm

[tulsad]

I love botany, but know so little about it. I found a very interesting page on the Zingiber - it discusses not only various uses for the plant but mentions that it resembles BAMBOO!!!!

Introduction
An ancient remedy, Ginger is used for many purposes, most notably perhaps for nausea. As a stimulant, it helps to improve peripheral circulation. In fevers, it promotes perspiration. It is also excellent for treating dyspepsia, colic and flatulence. Externally, it forms the base for various muscle strain and fibrositis treatments. Ginger, however, has many other uses and well deserves its' worldwide reputation - gained over thousands of years - as a powerful aid for healing.

Ginger, which is used in a vast array of sweet and savoury dishes around the world, is a tender, creeping perennial. It grows in tropical climates from underground rhizomes, which are commonly (but incorrectly) called 'roots'. The plant may reach 3-4' (1 - 1.2m) in height. It has dark, erect stems that resemble bamboo and lance shaped leaves. The thick, fibrous buff to white tuberous rhizome is perennial and has a spicy, warming smell and a pungent, citrus like taste. Zingiber officinale blooms have a small green inflorescence with white and maroon flowers. In other species, colours can range through to reds and oranges.

The botanical name for Ginger - Zingiber officinale - was given by the Swedish botanist innaeus. It comes from the Sanskrit word of singabera, which means 'shaped like a horn.' The term officinale simply means that the plant is commonly available and is useful to humans in medicine and as a food. Ginger is known as Sheng jian in Chinese and has a number of English synonyms including Jamaican Ginger. The rhizome and essential oil are used medicinally.