Hedychium flavescens
Yellow ginger, Yellow Ginger
(c) Tony Rebelo, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Tony Rebelo · licence
Family: Zingiberaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Hedychium flavescens (Yellow ginger) is a non-native California herb in the Zingiberaceae family, recognized by Only Hedychium species in California, Indian tropical introduction at single location.
Yellow ginger is a naturalized perennial found in Santa Cruz County, spreading along perennially irrigated creek beds in redwood forest at elevations around 115 meters. Producing large creamy yellow flowers with an elongated oblanceolate lip, this tropical plant creates dramatic floral displays in its introduced habitat. Growing with robust rhizomes that fragment and spread, it can form dense clusters with impressively large leaves reaching up to 55 centimeters long and 10 centimeters wide. Its leaves have a distinctive ligule measuring 4 to 5 centimeters, with elliptical blade-like structures that contribute to its lush, tropical appearance. The plant's perianth and broad flowers emerge in inflorescences up to 15 centimeters long, with lanceolate bracts 4 to 10 centimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only Hedychium species in California, Indian tropical introduction at single location
Habitat and range
Habitat: Spreading along perennially irrigated creek bed in redwood forest, from garden, by fragmenting rhizomes
Elevation: +- 115 m.
Outside California: native to India, Sri Lanka
Frequently asked questions
Is Hedychium flavescens native to California?
No. Hedychium flavescens is not native to California (recorded as not native).
What plant family does Hedychium flavescens belong to?
Hedychium flavescens is in the Zingiberaceae family, genus Hedychium.
What habitat does Hedychium flavescens grow in?
Hedychium flavescens grows in Spreading along perennially irrigated creek bed in redwood forest, from garden, by fragmenting rhizomes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.