Etlingera corneri (Rose Ginger)

Native to southern Thailand and the northern Malay Peninsula, this large herb grows in lowland evergreen forests and swampy places. Its upright leafy shoots are separate from the leafless stalks that carry the flower heads. Leaves alternate in two ranks along the tall shoots. Overlapping, bright red bracts form a rose-like head around the smaller flowers, giving the plant its common name, rose ginger. It has been brought into botanical collections outside its native range. The species is listed as Vulnerable. Photographed in Ecuador.