1112

 Kaempferia elegans Wall.

Synonym	:	Monolopus elegans (Wall.) Horan.
Family	`	Zingiberaceae
Local name	:	English - Peacock ginger.
Flowering and fruiting period	:	May to September
Distribution	:	Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. Widely cultivated as an ornamental plant throughout South India
Endemic/Exotic	:	Exotic
Uses	:	Ornamental
Key botanical characters: Rhizomatous herb, spreading on the soil.  Roots fleshy, strongly aromatic, stem absent.  Leaves 2-4, orbicular 13-17 x 11-13 cm, apex acute, base obtuse, lower surface shining, light green turning dark, glabrous, upper surface rough, pubescent along midrib, variegated with dark brown and green alternate distinct radiating bands.  Leaf sheath 4 cm, light green near lamina, white towards the base, villous, outer sheath 5.5 x 2 cm, tip brown, base white.  Spike short, crowded, inserted with in leaf-sheath. Bracts outer green in colour, thicker, pubescent, 3.2 x 1.6 cm, ovate, Flowere lilac, dull white.