1089

 Curcuma alismatifolia Gangnep.

Family	:	Zingiberaceae
Local name	:	English - Siam tulip
Distribution	:	Native of Laos, Combodia and Vietnam
Endemic/exotic	:	Exotic
Uses	:	Ornamental
Key botanical characters:   Rhizomatous tropical perennial in the ginger family that grows to 2’ tall. It is native to Thailand (formerly known as Siam). Inflorescences, stems and leaves of this plant resemble the flowers, stems and leaves of tulips, hence the common name. Siam tulip is a repeat bloomer that produces abundant inflorescences in summer (June-August). Plants go dormant in winter (November to May). Each inflorescence (to 3” tall) consists of showy, petal-like, bracts that surround the tiny, lavender-white, true flowers. The true flowers are seen only if they curl around the bracts edges. Each inflorescence appears atop a rigid, reed-like stem that grows to 2’ tall from a clump of narrow, lance-shaped, dark green leaves.