Your flower today comes from the lush hillsides of Hualalai on the Big Island of Hawaii–Shell Ginger (Alpinia zerumbet). Hualalai is known for being one of the most productive, rich parts of the Kona coffee belt. This area provides plenty of rain and sunshine, creating an environment full of tropical growth. Ginger grows like a weed here, adding highlights of color to the sea of green.
Sometimes mistaken for orchids, shell ginger has lots of beautiful white flowers that blossom to reveal bright yellow and dark red inside petals. The leaves are sometimes used in tea and for flavoring some rices and noodles.
Thanks to Jaystar Tensile for submitting this photo on our Facebook page.