Siphonochilus kirkii - yellow-flowered form

Selected images: Click on each image to see a larger version and details of the record View all images (13)

Photo: Bart Wursten
Maforga Mission, Gondola.

Photo: Bart Wursten
Nyamuakwarara River, John Meikle Research Station

Photo: Bart Wursten
School site Nhancuco, lower slopes Mt Gorongosa.

Photo: Warren McCleland
Pande, Inhassoro District.

Lusaka, cultivated from the wild
ex Kabompo
Nov 2008
Photo: Mike Bingham

Lusaka, cultivated
Dec 2008
Photo: Mike Bingham

Lusaka, cultivated from the wild
Dec 2009
Photo: Mike Bingham

Fruits and seeds
Lusaka, cultivated ex Kabompo
Jan 2012
Photo: Mike Bingham

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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms:	Kaempferia decora Druten
Common names:	Yellow ginger (English)
Frequency:
Status:
Description:	Perennial herb, growing from a short rhizome. Leaves are produced on separate shoots at the time of flowering. The flowers are large and showy, opening in succession along a terminal inflorescence spike. Each flower only lasting for a day.
Type location:	Mozambique
Notes:	This yellow flowered form was long regarded as a separate species under the name Siphonochilus decorus (Druten) B.L. Burtt. It is now considered mere colourform of Siphonochilus kirkii (Hook. f.) B.L. Burtt with S. decorus as a synonym.
Derivation of specific name:	decorus: handsome, elegant
Habitat:	Low altitude, high rainfall areas.
Altitude range: (metres)	Up to 900 m
Flowering time:	Nov - Jan
Worldwide distribution:	Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe
National distribution:
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:	Physcaeneura pione (Food plant)
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Literature:	Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 112. Moriarty, A. (1975). Wild Flowers of Malawi Purnell & sons Cape Town. Pages 35 - 36. as Kaempferia decora (Includes a picture). Plowes, D.C.H. & Drummond, R.B. (1990). Wild Flowers of Zimbabwe. Revised edition. Longman, Zimbabwe. No. 26, plate 45

Other sources of information about Siphonochilus kirkii - yellow-flowered form:

Our websites:

Flora of Mozambique: Siphonochilus kirkii - yellow-flowered form
Flora of Zambia: Siphonochilus kirkii - yellow-flowered form
Flora of Zimbabwe: Siphonochilus kirkii - yellow-flowered form

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