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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Hedychium spicatum is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 0.7 m (2ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in flower in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:
Fruit - cooked[177]. Eaten in savoury dishes with lentils[183].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Carminative Digestive Emmenagogue Expectorant Stimulant Stomachic Tonic Vasodilator
The rootstock is carminative, emmenagogue, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic and tonic[240, 243]. It is useful in the treatment of liver complaints, and is also used in treating fevers, vomiting, diarrhoea, inflammation, pains and snake bite[240, 243, 272]. The root is used in Tibetan medicine, it is said to have an acrid taste and heating potency[241]. It is digestive, stomachic and vasodilator[241]. It is used in the treatment of indigestion and poor circulation due to thickening of the blood[241].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Essential Incense
The rootstock yields 4% essential oil[240]. This oil, which has a scent somewhat like hyacinths, is so powerful that a single drop will render clothes highly perfumed for a considerable period[245]. The dried root is burnt as an incense[245].
Special Uses
Scented Plants
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Requires a rich moist soil and a sunny position[233]. They can be grown in a sunny border as a summer sub-tropical bedding plant[[1]. Plants are not very cold-hardy, tolerating temperatures down to about -2°c. They can be grown at the foot of a south-facing wall if given a good mulch in the winter[1, 200]. Plants succeed outdoors in Tresco Gardens, Isles of Scilly. This species succeeds outdoors in most parts of S. England, especially if the rhizomes are mulched with dry leaves in the autumn[90]. Plants have been known to withstand temperatures down to -16°c in Germany[214]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. The tubers should only just be covered with soil[233]. The flowers are sweetly scented, the scent being most pronounced towards evening[245]. Both the bruised and the dried root are very aromatic with a fragrant, somewhat pungent smell that is similar to orris root but more powerful[245].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a warm greenhouse at 18°c[200]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on for at least their first winter in the greenhouse. Plant out in late spring after the last expected frosts. Division as growth commences in the spring[200]. Dig up the clump and divide it with a sharp spade or knife, making sure that each division has a growing shoot. Larger clumps can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, but it is best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a greenhouse until they are established. Plant them out in the summer or late in the following spring.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Plant Search
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Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
Buch.-Ham.
Botanical References
200266
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
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Subject : Hedychium spicatum
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