PlantFiles: Resurrection Lily, Tropical Crocus
Kaempferia rotunda 'Raven'

Beautiful and interesting Zingiberaceae with short lived crocus like flowers appearing before the leaves in early summer. Each flower lasts only a day or two. Flowers are followed closely by the attractive variegated foliage which persists right through summer and into autumn. Over winter the plant is dormant and should not be over watered during this time as the tubers will rot. Kaempferia rotunda is tropical and does not survive frost. Can be grown in a temporate climate in a warm sunny position. The roots are eaten as a spice in parts of SE Asia and used in tradtional herbal medicine throughout Asia.