Re: Gingers - geophytes?

Thanks, Zem. Yes rhizomes are geophytes. Rhizomes, tubers, corms, bulbs,
tuberous roots, pseudobulbs - any underground storage organ is a
geophyte. I just wasn't sure if all gingers had underground storage
organs.


Kitty

-------------- Original message -------------- 

> I have two different kinds of Hedychium, H. coronarium and H. coccineum. 
> They have been hardy in my yard for a few years now, although they would 
> probably do better in full sun as I am in the northern reaches of their 
> hardiness range. They are definitely rhizomatous. I gave away some 
> divisions last year for the first time, and have heard they are doing well. 
> I have no idea whether or not they are geophytes. 
> zem 
> zone 7 
> West TN 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: 
> To: 
> Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2005 11:13 AM 
> Subject: [CHAT] Gingers - geophytes? 
> 
> 
> > At the moment I don't have access to all my books, so maybe you can help. 
> > Are gingers geophytes? 
> > 
> > The family Zingiberaceae, Gingers, include lots of plants that have been 
> > mentioned on this list. I've only grown one Curcuma but I've heard some 
> > of you mention growing Hedychiums and Zingibers among others in the 
> > family. I bought my Curcuma "bulbs" from Odyssey. 
> > 
> > 
> > In looking through Bryan's huge book on Bulbs (covers all geophytes), 
> > though, there is no mention of Gingers. I looked a little online and so 
> > far the only mention I have found was on Curcuma alismatifolia at Dave's 
> > Garden: 
> > 
> > "[Propagate] By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including 
> > offsets)" 
> > which is a most stupid comment IMO because this particular plant cannot 
> > be all of those. However, it does indicate to me that, as I suspected 
> > from what I purchased from Odyssey, they are indeed some sort of 
> > geophyte - but which kind? I realize that within any one genus in the 
> > family some species could be rhizoomes, some bulbs, some fibrous roots, 
> > as in the genus, Iris. But so far I have found little info. 
> > 
> > 
> > I can check other books when I get home and I'll check further on the 
> > internet, but I thought some of you might also be able to give me a 
> > hand. 
> > 
> > 
> > Kitty 
> > 
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