Alpinia formosana, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to Taiwan and other regions of East Asia, where it grows in humid subtropical forests. The plant has a clumping habit, with arching stems that can reach heights of 3 to 5 feet. The flowers of Alpinia formosana are tubular and appear in pendant clusters, often in shades of white with pink or red accents. The flower shape resembles a seashell, which gives the plant its common name, shell ginger. The leaves are also notable for their bold, striped variegation. It can spread slowly through underground rhizomes, creating dense clumps over time. Photographed in Florida.