Ginger belongs to the family of ‘Zingiberaceae’. The family derives its name from a Greek word ‘ziniberi’, which is believed to have evolved from an ancient Indian word for ginger. This rhizotomous perennial plant is a herb which bears large showy flowers. Both the male and the female reproductive organs are present in the same flower. The stunning red flowers are zygomorphic which means they can be divided into two symmetrical halves. The inflorescence is supported by the bract which looks like a spire. The leaves have sheaths at the base which overlap in such a manner that it resembles a stem.

The ginger family has about 1000 species. It is found extensively all over tropical Asia, Africa, and the Americas. In the South Pacific, the bright flowers of ginger are widely used for decoration during festivals. The bracts are also made into wreaths especially in Samoa where it is customary for the members of royalty to wear red ginger wreaths on notable occasions. Ginger is also used for flower arrangements.

Ginger is most popular as a spice for which it is cultivated even for commercial purposes. Moreover, it is also known to possess some medicinal properties and is effective in stomach aches and asthma.