Details
Complete name:
Hedychium gardnerianum Shepard ex Ker-Gawl
Taxonomy:
Magnoliophyta »
Magnoliophyta »
Liliopsida »
Zingiberales »
Zingiberaceae »
Hedychium gardnerianum
Authors:
Philip Hulme
Last updated: November 8th, 2006
Common Names
Kahili ginger, Kahila garland-lily, wild ginger
Synonyms
Hedychium gardnerianum Shepard ex Ker-Gawl.
Short Description
A large leafy herb that can reach between1 and 3 m in height. Lance-shaped leaves arise off stems or basal stock. Fragrant yellow flowers are borne in long 25-30cm spikes. Red stamens are not present in the more cream coloured flowers of yellow ginger. Capsules contain seeds that are initially red then grey. This species is found in open habitats in warm moist climates.
Biology / Ecology
- Dispersal Mechanisms
- By stolons where already established, and by root fragments. Conspicuous, fleshy, red seeds are dispersed by frugivorous birds as well as humans. Illegal dumping of ginger rhizomes on roadsides or in bushland has also been a major source of spread.
- Reproduction
- Flowers are pollinated by insects. Vegetative reproduction via stolons is important in increasing local abundance.
- Known Predators/Herbivores
- Resistant Stages (seeds, spores etc.)
Habitat
- Native (EUNIS Code)
- Semi-evergreen rainforest
- Habitat Occupied in Invaded Range (EUNIS Code)
- F9: Riverine and fen scrubs, H3: Inland cliffs, rock pavements and outcrops, G2: Broadleaved evergreen woodland, G3: Coniferous woodland. Invaded habitat also includes Macaronesian (Laurus) woodland - Azorean, Madeiran and Canarian laurisilvas.
- Habitat Requirements
- The plant grows in wet habitats between sea level and 1,500 m in Macaronesia. Prefers to grow in open, light-filled environments which are warm and moist, but will readily grow in semi and full shade beneath forest canopy, such as in regenerating forest, streamside and alluvial forests, forest gaps and gullies.
Impact
- Ecosystem Impact
- Its spatial occupation competes with native species. Permanent smothering of stream ecosystems and forest ground flora, almost entirely preventing regeneration. Once fully established it is extremely difficult for native seedlings to regenerate. May permanently displace rare plants, or cause serious losses to populations of uncommon plants or specialised communities.
- Health and Social Impact
- Economic Impact
Management
- Prevention
- Avoiding planting as an ornamental, avoid dumping of plant debris in the wild.
- Mechanical
- Only small plants and seedlings can be effectively removed manually. Removal requires slashing stems and digging out all rhizomes and tubers. Young seedlings and shade-suppressed plants may appear small but have a string of rhizomes attached to them. Bury rhizomes at a landfill, or dry and thoroughly burn to prevent resprouting.
- Chemical
- The herbicide metsulfuron-methyl can be effective when applied following slashing of established plants.
- Biological
- A pathogenic bacterium (Ralstonia solanacearum) was found in Hawaii and tested for biological control but its effectiveness is unclear.
Contributors
The following contributors have provided records in the DAISIE database for this species.
| Name | Institute |
|---|
| Corina Basnou |
Centre de Recerca Ecològica i Aplicacions Forestals (CREAF), Barcelona |
| Hélia Marchante |
Escola Superior Agrária de Coimbra, Portugal |
| Silva Vieira, R. M. da (2002) |
|
Experts
The following experts registered themselves as having knowledge about this species or its family.
| Name | Institute | Country | Taxa |
|---|
|
Technical University of Munich |
Germany |
Hedychium gardnerianum (name) |
|
Universidade dos Açores |
Portugal |
Zingiberaceae (name) |
|
Imperial College London |
United Kingdom |
Zingiberaceae (name) |
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References
Funk JL (2005) Hedychium gardnerianum invasion into Hawaiian montane rainforest: interactions among litter quality, decomposition rate, and soil nitrogen availability, Biogeochem 76:441-451
Williams PA, Winks C, Rijkse, W (2004) Forest processes in the presence of wild ginger (Hedychium gardnerianum). N Z J Ecol 47:45-54
Weber E (2003) Invasive Plant Species of the World: A Reference Guide to Environmental Weeds. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK
Other References
NZ DOC (New Zealand Department of Conservation) Wild Ginger report. Good overview of Hedychium gardnerianum in New Zealand. Some good management information. http://www.doc.govt.nz/Conservation/003~Weeds/Wild-Ginger.asp. Cited 8 Nov 2006
PIER (Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk), 2003.Hedychium gardnerianum. http://www.hear.org/pier/species/hedychium_gardnerianum.htm Cited 8 Nov 2006
Hedychium gardnerianum
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