White Ginger Lily (Hedychium coronarium)

Sontakka, Sugandhi, Suruli Sugandhi, Swarnachampa (सोनटक्का, सुगंधी, सुरुली सुगंधी, स्वर्णचंपा) are some of the common names of White Ginger Lily. The white and scented species is Hedychium coronarium. It belongs to Zingiberaceae (Ginger) family. The plant blooms very profusely from summer to end of monsoon. Outside this period also flowers appear on and off. The stems of this plant are underground and are ginger-like. These stems are called as 'Rhizomes'. The plant spreads its rhizomes sideways and multiplies easily. A stalk above the ground bears the leaves and on its terminal part flowers grow in a cluster. The flowers are highly scented. Flowers bloom in the evening. Occasionally fruit is formed but it is not very common. In fact, I have seen this fruit only once. The ripened fruit is yellowish-orange coloured. It splits in 3 parts and seeds covered with blood red arils are exposed (Aril is an exterior covering or appendage of some seeds). Seeds are brownish in colour.
Propagation of this plant is mainly by division of rhizomes. If one gets seeds, they can also be used for propagation. To make them sprout easily, the seeds should be soaked in warm water for about 24 hours. In beginning of summer that is in month of April, the old stalks above the ground with withering leaves must be cut at the base. Preferably the rhizomes should be separated and planted at some distance from each other. This encourages new growth and better flowering. A stalk bears inflorescence only once; after which the entire stalk must be removed at its base. The plants prefer semi shade and rich planting medium with good amount of humus. The plant also loves humid soil all the time but stagnation of water is not desirable.

Hedychium coronarium

Hedychium coronarium plants

Hedychium coronarium fruit

Hedychium coronarium seeds

There are hardly any pests or diseases. One pest which is common is a caterpillar of a butterfly. The caterpillar rolls the leaf with its spider web-like secretion and hides under the roll, happily chewing the leaves. The best thing is to observe the rolled leaves and remove the caterpillar.

Leaf rolling caterpillar

Flowers are made in to garlands or in 'वेणी' (Veni) by women to wear in their hair. In earlier days the Venis (वेणी) were strung together with banana leaf edges, which in Konkani is called as 'Vay' (वाय). For making garlands or venis, the flower buds are picked in the morning and are strung together. Hedychium flavum is a species with golden yellow flowers. Though the colour of these is very attractive, the flowers have milder scent than the white variety. These plants also grow very tall. There is also a pink flowering variety. This is known as Hedychium greenii.

Hedychium flavum

Hedychium flavum, very tall plants

Hedychium greenii