Cornukaempferia
Cornukaempferia is a relatively new genus first described in 1997, however is was well established amongst ginger collectors and even in tissue culture production before this time. The original discovery was made in a Thai plant market where an Australian plant collector purchased what is now Cornukaempferia aurantiflora. In Australian is was released as ‘Velvet Butterfly’ but some information on it was incorrect when it came to the US. Here is was thought to be a new species of Boesenbergia. Once it was realized to be an entirely new genus it was published as Cornukaempferia aurantiflora. Soon after wild populations were discovered, then another new species Cornukaempferia longipetiolata was found. Several years later the last of the three species was found and published, Cornukaempferia larsenii.
The first discovery has proven to be the best and most reliable garden subject. C. aurantiflora ‘Jungle Gold’ has graced southern gardens for many years and is an awesome shade plant. We now exclusively offer ‘Jungle Silver’ as well. Though they are similar to Kaempferia (Peacock Gingers) the name is deceiving as genetically they are much closer related to Zingiber.