e-Key v<span id="jodit_selection_marker_1710233494400_6219184176924331" data-jodit_selection_marker="start" style="line-height: 0; display: none;"></span>3 - *Hedy<span id="jodit_selection_marker_1710233494400_8659734054248658" data-jodit_selection_marker="end" style="line-height: 0; display: none;"></span>chium
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Interactive keys to the identification of seed plants of southern Africa using keys based on plant morphology.

Zingiberaceae - *Hedychium J.König

Description:

  • Perennial herbs, up to 3 m high
  • Inflorescence terminal, erect
  • Flowers bisexual, 1-6 per bract, each subtended by a tubular bracteole
  • Corolla tube long, slender, usually exceeding calyx; petals strap-shaped; labellum narrowed at base with conspicuous, usually bilobed limb
  • Stamen with long, slender filaments; lateral staminodes petaloid
  • Ovary 3-locular; placentation axile
  • Fruit globose or oblong
  • x = 17 (aneuploids)

Nomenclature:

  • *Hedychium J.König
    • König: 61 (1783)
    • Smith: 38 (1998)

Distribution & Notes:

  • Global: Species ± 45, Asian
  • Southern Africa: Species 3, naturalised, near coast in KwaZulu-Natal

References:

  • KÖNIG, J. 1783. In A.J. Retzius, Observationes botanicae, fasc. 3. S.L. Crusius, Leipzig
  • SMITH, R.M. 1998. FSA contributions 11: Zingiberaceae. Bothalia 28