Red ginger

Alpinia purpurata is a member of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) and is found in regions such as BR, Parque Nacional Natural Gorgona, TW, SC, CU, CK, NU, AS, Kosrae, Yap, WS, PW, SB, VC, NR, CO, TH, FM, AG, and BB. The plant has a rhizomatous growth habit, spreading underground and producing vertical stems. Its inflorescences are enclosed in bright magenta to red bracts, which are modified leaves that serve to protect the flowers and attract pollinators. The actual flowers are located inside the bracts and are often accessed by crawling insects like ants or beetles.