Torch Ginger Singapore Flower. Happy Easter!

Its botanical name is Etlingera elatior. It is known in Indonesian as bunga kecombrang or honje, in Malaysia as bunga kantan. The showy pink flowers are used in decorative arrangements while the flower buds are an important ingredient in the Nonya dish laksa.

Etlingera elatior (Zingiberaceae family) is widely cultivated in tropical countries and used as spices and food flavoring.

Etlingera elatior has also been well known for its medicinal properties among indigenous communities in Malaysia. Decoction prepared from the fruit of Etlingera elatior has been used to treat ear ache and the leaves have been used in wound healing. The young flower shoot of Etlingera elatior was reported to have antimicrobial, cytotoxic and anti-tumor promoting properties. Etlingera elatior inflorescence is known to have high antioxidant properties. Flower extract of Etlingera elatior has powerful antioxidant effect against lead - induced oxidative stress and the extract may be useful therapeutic agent against lead toxicity.

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Butterfly Pea Singapore Flower

Its botanical name is Clitoria ternatea. Native to SE Asia. Traditionally, the flowers are crushed to produce a blue dye used in food preparation. The root extract is used to treat coughs.

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Madagascar Periwinkle Singapore Flower

Its botanical name is Catharanthus roseus. Native to Madagascar. In the pharmaceutical industry, vincristine and vinblastine from the sap have proven to be effective in the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma. It is traditionally used to treat diabetes, hypertension and as a disinfectant.

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Heliconia Psittacorum Andromeda

Its common name is Parakeet Flower.

Parakeet flower is an everblooming, tropical plant that produces an abundance of bright flowers above clumps of lush, evergreen leaves. It is native to South America. It looks great all year around.

This vigorous ornamental spreads by rhizomes and has long, banana-like leaves that are dark green and tatter easily in strong winds. The flowers are borne atop long, smooth, green flower stalks that are held above the leaves. They are comprised of red, orange-red or orange showy bracts that hold small, tubular flowers. Each true flower may be yellow, red, orange or green and have a dark spot at the end, which makes it look like a parrot’s tongue.

Parakeet flower grows best in full sun to partial shade and organic-rich, evenly moist soil with good drainage. In tropical zones it is grown as a landscape plant. Its elegant, tropical flowers are long lasting when cut and look great in bright, colorful arrangements.

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Cat Wiskers Singapore Flower

Its botanical name is Orthosiphon aristatus. Native to tropical Eastern Asia. It is traditionally used to treat kidney ailments, gout, hypertension, rheumatism and jaundice.

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Costus Dubius Singapore Flower

This African Costus is commonly cultivated as an ornamental. The clump-forming, leafy stems are 2-3 m high. the egg-shaped inflorescence made of tightly arranged green bracts is elevated on a separate peduncle. One or two white and yellow flowers open at the same time.

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Yellow Bell Singapore Flower

Its botanical name is tecoma stans. Yellow bell singapore flower has sharply-toothed, lance-shaped green leaves and bears large, showy, bright golden yellow trumpet-shaped flowers. It is drought-tolerant and grows well in warm climates. The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

The leaves and roots of the plant contain bioactive compounds, especially monoterpenes, which may have medicinal uses.

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