Amomum queenslandicum R.M.Sm.

Smith, R.M. (1980) Notes from the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh 38 : 521. Type: Queensland, Q.R.S., Atherton, grown from Hyland 6671 ex Claudie River, 22 Oct. 1974, Dockrill 893; holo: E; iso: QRS.

Ginger

Usually flowers and fruits as a shrubby plant about 1-3 m tall but it should be noted that only the leaves are above ground level. The true stem is below the soil surface.

Leaf blades petiolate, glabrous on the upper surface but pubescent on the lower. Leaf blades about 25-60 x 7-12 cm, petioles about 3-5 cm long. Ligule about 1-2.5 cm long, glabrous, bilobed at the apex. Lateral veins numerous and parallel, curving just inside the blade margin.

Inflorescences produced on a short shoot from the base of the plant and are raised only slightly above ground level. Inflorescence about 5 x 3 cm, peduncle about 3-4 cm long. Bracts to 4 cm long, glabrous. Bracteoles to 3 cm long, glabrous. Calyx about 2-2.5 cm long, 3-lobed. Corolla tube about 1.5 cm long, lobes about 2 cm long. Labellum clawed, about 2.5 x 1.5-2 cm, 3-lobed. Anther subsessile, about 10 mm long, crest about 7 mm wide, obscurely 3-lobed. Ovary about 4.5 mm long.

Capsule about 3-4 x 1.5-3 cm with about nine longitudinal wings.

Features not available.

Occurs in CYP. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 200 m. Grows in disturbed areas (particularly along roads) in lowland or gallery rain forest. This species seems to be on the decline largely, it is suspected, because of the foraging habits of feral pigs (Sus scrofa). Also occurs in New Guinea.