ID the flower Please

[silverstoli]

I fell in love with this flower while on a tour at a Vanilla Farm in Costa Rica. Does anyone know what it is? It was a large flower.


Also, these trees/shrubs were everywhere. I didn't see them in the wild, they were used as landscape plants. I called them Flamingo trees as from a distance it looked like a flock of miniature flamingos. But I would really like to know the name to see if it would possibly grow here. Costa Rica seemed similar to my area with the heat and humidity.

[ksriramkumar]

First one is called torch ginger. second one I am not sure. I have read about this plant and even grown one in school but don't remember the name now, it flowers in two variants one in pink and one in white.

[zainal abidin]

The second plant is known as Mussaenda erythrophylla 'Dona Luz" which is native to South East Asia and Africa. Also known in Malay as Janda Kaya ( Rich Widow).

[eeyore]

You might be interested to know that SE Asians use the torch ginger flower bud to cook with, seems a pity given how beautiful the flower is, but it gives the dishes a very unique flavor too! It's known as Bunga Kantan in Singapore/Malaysia.

[ksriramkumar]

Yes Dr.Zainail. Thank you for reminding me. it is Mussaenda. There is a alba form of this as well.

[silverstoli]

Thank you! I have thought about my "flamingo tree" for a year since we were visiting Costa Rica. I have looked online for one, but even though there are articles about them being grown in Florida, I can't find an online source to purchase. But I've only searched for one day so I will keep looking.

I also love the Ginger and have decided I need it too.

Thanks again for everyone sharing their wealth of knowledge. I hope one day I can help someone too!

[silverstoli]

I finally found a small Mussaenda erythrophylla 'Dona Luz" I received it this week. I will put it in a pot and keep it on the patio near my orchids (with a little more sun). I am pretty excited about it. We will probably move in the next two years, so the pot will also make it easier to take to my new home. Thank you so much for helping me id my little "flamingo tree".

---------- Post Merged at 10:46 AM ----------

I finally found a small Mussaenda erythrophylla 'Dona Luz" I received it this week. I will put it in a pot and keep it on the patio near my orchids (with a little more sun). I am pretty excited about it. We will probably move in the next two years, so the pot will also make it easier to take to my new home. Thank you so much for helping me id my little "flamingo tree".

[catttan]

The torch ginger, [I]Etlingera elatior[/yI] has one of the most attractive flowers in the ginger family and colours range from light pink ( as shown in the picture) to a very intense dark pink. As mentioned by eeyore it is used extensively in S E Asian cooking. It is an essential ingredient in Penang and Kedah laksa. In our unique Nyonya cooking in Malaysia and Singapore it features prominently in many of our dishes especially the curries that have fish or prawns as the main ingredient. It is an essential ingredient in the Nyonya Gulai Tumis and Sambal udang. The fragrance of the torch ginger helps to get rid of the 'fishy' smell in these dishes. It also features in some of our kerabu , our local salads. One of the most important dishes in traditional Nyonya wedding feasts is the kerabu ayam or hot, savoury chicken salad in coconut milk of which chopped torch ginger is one of the essential ingredients.

Mussaenda flowers range in colour from white to scarlet - Mary Kay has mentioned the pink variety 'Dona Luz'; other attractive ones are ' Dona Eva' the scarlet var, philippica , the white var, and 'Queen Sirikit' a light peach coloured with pink edges.

[silverstoli]

Wow, you are making me hungry!