PlantFiles: Yellow Ginger
Hedychium flavescens

I have not grown this plant; however, I have observed it growing as both a cultivated plant and as a naturalized plant in the wild. Yellow Ginger (Hedychium flavescens) is also commonly known as awapuhi melemele (Hawaii), cream garland lily, cream ginger, cream ginger lily , wild ginger, yellow ginger, yellow ginger-lily, e mei jiang hua (Chinese-China), kopi rengarenga (Cook Islands), kopi rengarenga (Cook Islands), longoze (French), opuhi rea rea (French Polynesia), re'a rengarenga (Cook Islands) and teuila (Samoa). The blooms emit a powerful spicy citrus scent and in the rainforest region of Maui where it covers many large areas, I was pleasantly greeted by its fragrance when I explored different areas.

Yellow Ginger (Hedychium flavescens) has spread from its homerange in the Himalayas to occupy many locations around the world. It is a naturalized plant in Hawaii and Puerto Rico. It it has caused great concern in the countries where it has been introduced. Moist warm climates such as New Zealand, Hawaii and La Reunion are favorable to the establishment of yellow ginger, where it can invade the native ecosystems. Forming dense growths covering whole areas of land, it prevents the regrowth and regeneration of native plant species. Yellow ginger occurs in rainforests, moist forests, along roadsides, in open habitats and along streamsides (PIER, 2002).


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Have always loved yellow and white gingers and finally got some yellow about 3 months ago. Barely established and it has its 1st flowers. Recently I discovered it is one of 3 gingers on UH Botony Dept pest plant list. Although it has infested some areas, popularity with gardeners has kept it from biological control...can't keep an enemy insect or disease in problem areas and out of a growers back yard I guess... I was looking for something else on pest list when I discovered ginger on it... still love it.

Hedychium flavescens or as it is commonly called, yellow ginger, is considered a pest in some areas due to the invasive way in which it will displace native plants.

Some areas of the Big Island have been taken over by this plant and especially around and in the Volcanoes National Park.

When in full bloom, you can smell the beautiful aroma as you drive along the roads to and from the volcanoes park.

Strongly fragrant pale yellow flowers bloom from summer through fall. The petals are a deeper yellow in the center.