(Zingiberaceae)
Roscoea tibetica   

Description

A very variable Chinese species found growing over a widespread area in the wild, yet still scarce in cultivation. Mostly found as small plants forming a rosette of broadly ovate leaves the bases clasping the short upright stems to 20 cm tall, which have arisen from the fleshy roots. Displaying the pink-purple flowers held terminally in succession from the tip of the stem, orchid-like on long hollow tubes, with almost comical lateral petals protruding either side. Flowering for several months for us May to September. Easily grown in a well drained soil with some moisture retention in sun or shade.