1. Leaves spirally arranged; sheath at first closed, articulated with the petiole. Filaments petal-like. Lateral staminodes wanting. Epigynous glands none. Stem and leaves not aromatic.—Species 35. Central
Africa. Some of them are used as ornamental or medicinal plants and in the preparation of rubber. (Including Cadalvena Fenzl). [Subfamily
COSTOIDEAE.] Costus L.
Leaves two-ranked; sheath split open, not articulated with the petiole.
Epigynous glands present, often style-like. Stem and leaves aromatic.
[Subfamily ZINGIBEROIDEAE.] 2
2. Lateral staminodes petal-like, but sometimes adnate to the lip, which then appears 3-lobed. [Tribe HEDYCHIEAE.] 3
Lateral staminodes linear, tooth-like, or wanting; in the latter case lip not distinctly 3-lobed. [Tribe ZINGIBEREAE.] 5
3. Connective spurred. Lateral staminodes adnate below to the filament of the fertile stamen.—Species 1 (C. longa L.). Cultivated and sometimes naturalised in the tropics. The root-stock yields starch, condiments, medicaments, perfumes, and dyeing-materials (turmeric); the leaves are used for plaiting-work. Curcuma L.
Connective not spurred. Lateral staminodes free from the filament of the fertile stamen. 4
4. Connective with a crest-like appendage. Filament short. Lateral staminodes broad.—Species 15. Central and South-east Africa. Some are used as ornamental plants. Kaempfera L.
Connective without an appendage. Filament long. Lateral staminodes narrow. Inflorescence terminating the leafy stem.—Species 3, two of them natives of Madagascar, the third naturalised in the tropics. Ornamental plants; the tubers yield condiments, perfumes, and medicaments. Hedychium Koen.
5. Connective with a distinct appendage. Flowering stem separated from the leafy stem. 6
Connective without a distinct appendage. 8
MUSACEAE.
FLOW. PL. AFR.
Pl. 23.
J. Fleischmann del.
Strelitzia Reginae Banks ex Ait.
A Plant in flower. B Flower cut lengthwise. C Stamens and inner petals.
ZINGIBERACEAE.