蝴蝶薑屬

Terrestrial or epiphytic herbs. Stem subterranean rhizomatous, fleshy tuberous. Pseudostem erect, leafy. Leaves distichous, usually glabrous; ligule conspicuous; leaf-blade usually oblong or lanceolate. Inflorescence a spike-like thyrse, terminal on pseudostem, with densely imbricate bracts. Flowers showy, dense and numerous, usually 2-3 in each bract; bracteole tubular; calyx tubular, apex 3-dentate or truncate, usually split unilaterally; corolla-tube slender; usually longer than calyx, corolla-lobes linear, reflexed; lateral staminodes petaloid, larger than corolla-lobes; labellum large, suborbicular, usually bifid, clawed. Filament usually long; anther dorsifixed, base divaricate; style not far exserted beyond the anther, stigma expanded; ovary 3-locular with axile placentation, ovules numerous. Capsules globose, dehiscing into 3 valves. Seeds numerous; aril lacerated.

About 50 species in tropical Asia and Madagascar. One species in Taiwan.

Lower Taxon

• Hedychium coronarium Koen.