Family Name: Costaceae

Synonyms: Costus uniflorus Poepp. ex Petersen, Dimerocostus uniflorus (Poepp. ex Petersen) K.Schum., Monocostus ulei K.Schum.

Common Name: Lemon Ginger

Monocostus uniflorus or Lemon Ginger is a small herbaceous plant that grows to 60 cm tall. Leaves are oblong-elliptic, dark green, leaf margin may appear red to reddish purple with hairs, spirally arranged on the curvy stems. Flowers are solitary, axillary, lipped, bright yellow with a white centre. Fruit is produced in a capsule that spilt lengthwise when ripe. Lemon Ginger is the only species found under the genus, Monocostus.

CLASSIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS

Plant Division : Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon)

Plant Growth Form : Herbaceous Plant

Mode of Nutrition : Autotrophic

Maximum Height : 0.6 m

PLANT CARE AND PROPAGATION

Light Preference : Semi-Shade

Water Preference : Lots of Water, Moderate Water, Occasional Misting

Plant Growth Rate : Fast

Pest(s) : Chewing Insects, Sucking Insects

Propagation Method : Seed, Division