White ginger

• 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.

• Prefers humus-rich soils, shaded or semi-shaded areas subject to waterlogging.

• Found in Babinda and Millaa Millaa in far north Queensland.

Environmental

• Forms dense stands that replace native plants.

• Spread by people dumping unwanted plants.

• Find out how farmers can prevent weed spread.
• Find out how gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts can prevent weed spread.

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.

• 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.