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Ginger Lily
Environmental Weed
Botanical name: Hedychium gardneranum
Photos: Ku-ring-gai Council
Description
Also known as Wild Ginger. Unlike its cousin, the cultivated ginger, this species is not edible. Ginger Lily, usually grown as a garden ornamental, has long strap-like leaves and large spikes of perfumed yellow and orange flowers up to 25cm long.
Underground the plant forms a large fleshy rhizome which usually runs close to the surface. Growing buds occur at intervals along the rhizome,and many leaf and flower stems can arise from a single stem.
Dispersal
Ginger Lily is spread into bushland through dumping as garden waste.
Control
Manual:
- Expose the thickened rhizome just below the soil surface.
- Cut along both sides with a sharp knife.
- Lift the plant out and dispose of carefully.
- Even small sections left in the soil can regrow to form new plants.
See Manual Weed Control Techniques.
Chemical: Please contact your local control authority for advice on chemical control.