Tapeinochilos ananassae (Hassk.) K.Schum.

Costaceae

Schumann, K.M. (1899) Botanische Jahrbucher 27 : 349.

Torch Ginger; Ginger, Torch; Backscratcher Ginger; Devil's Pineapple; Ginger, Backscratcher

Essentially herbaceous with an underground rhizome but leafy shoots at times attaining a height of 2-4 m, usually curled to some extent at the apex of the branches.

Leaves variable in size but commonly about 15 x 5 cm. Lateral veins diverge from the midrib at a very low angle and run parallel to one another. Petiole forms a glabrous, longitudinally veined sheath about 2-4 cm long, completely enclosing the stem. Petiolar sheath with a truncate ligule (about 0.2-0.3 cm long) at the apex.

Inflorescence usually terminating leafless shoots, cone-like, about 7-20 cm long, consisting mainly of stiff bright red bracts which are recurved towards the apex. Flowers barely exceed the bracts. Calyx lobes unequal, two large + one small. Back of the anther clothed in short, appressed, straight hairs. Stigma expanded, +/- 2-lobed, many times wider than the style.

Infructescence stalked, +/- cone-like, about 15-20 cm long consisting mainly of large bracts about 4.5 x 3.2 cm, bracts red but eventually turning brown. Each fruitlet about 30-35 mm long with three lobes at the apex. Each lobe about 7-8 x 6-8 mm. Seeds seated on a fleshy white mass. Aril translucent. Embryo +/- cylindrical.

Cotyledon or first leaf almost orbicular, about 1.2-1.6 mm diam., seed coat remaining attached at the apex. At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade elliptic or oblanceolate, emerging rolled, lateral veins diverge from the midrib at a very low angle and run parallel to one another. Reticulate veins form ladders with the lateral veins. Petiole forms a glabrous, longitudinally veined sheath completely enclosing the stem. Petiolar sheath hairy with a truncate ligule at the apex. Seed germination time 13 to 142 days.

Occurs in CYP and NEQ. Altitudinal range from near sea level to about 300 m. Grows as an understory plant in well developed lowland and upland rain forests which have been subjected to some disturbance. Also occurs in New Guinea.

Costus ananassae Hassk., Abhandl. Naturf. Ges. Halle 9: 335(1866), Type: Moluccas, Ceram, Neue Schlussel 191; holo: ?. Tapeinochilos queenslandiae (F.M.Bailey) K.Schum., Das Pflanzenreich Heft 20 : 433(1904). Tapeinochilos pungens var. queenslandiae F.M.Bailey, The Queensland Flora 5: 1593(1902), Type: In most of the tropical coastal scrubs. Tapeinochilos pungens (Teijsm. & Binn.) Miq., Annales du Museum Lugduno-Batavum 4 : 101(1869). Tapeinochilos australis K.Schum., Botanische Jahrbucher 27 : 347(1899), Type: (not cited). Costus pungens Teysmann & Binnend., Tijdschr. Nederl. Ind. 29: 244(1867), Type: Moluccas, Ceram, Teysmann s. n.