White ginger

White ginger flowers
© Queensland Government

White ginger flowers and leaves
© Queensland Government

White ginger plant form
© Queensland Government
Native to southern Asia, white ginger is a herbaceous perennial shrub that is a major weed in a number of countries. White ginger's popularity as a garden plant increases the risk that it may become a pest in Queensland. It forms dense stands that replace native plants.
White ginger is a restricted invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
Scientific name
Other names
Similar species
Description
- Herbaceous perennial shrub 1-3m tall.
- Leaves are 20-40cm long, 4.5-8cm wide.
- Flowers are white and fragrant on spikers 10-20cm long.
- Fruit is a capsule, oblong, smooth, with orange-yellow valves 3-3.5cm long containing many seeds.
- Seeds are pale brown, squarish shape, 3-4mm.
- Roots are thick, pinkish spreading rhizomes.
Habitat
- Prefers humus-rich soils, shaded or semi-shaded areas subject to waterlogging.
Distribution in Queensland
- Found in Babinda and Millaa Millaa in far north Queensland.
Impacts
Environmental
- Forms dense stands that replace native plants.
How it is spread
- Spread by people dumping unwanted plants.
Prevention
Control measures
Physical control
- Dig out entire plant, including rhizomes (underground stems).
Herbicide control
- Permit No. PER12436 has been issued for herbicide control of gingers. Visit the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website for more information.
Biological control
- No known biological control agents.
Legal requirements
- White ginger is a restricted invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
- It must not be given away, sold, or released into the environment without a permit.
- The Act requires everyone to take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise the risks associated with invasive plants and animals under their control. This is called a general biosecurity obligation (GBO).
- At a local level, each local government must have a biosecurity plan that covers invasive plants and animals in its area. This plan may include actions to be taken on certain species. Some of these actions may be required under local laws. Contact your local government for more information.
More information
- Contact the Customer Service Centre
- Yellow ginger
- Kahili ginger
- Ginger pest risk assessment (PDF, 420KB)
- Last reviewed: 31 Oct 2015
- Last updated: 20 Mar 2017