About Dichorisandra thyrsiflora J.C.Mikan
Dichorisandra thyrsiflora, commonly called blue ginger, is a species of tropical flowering plant. While it resembles ginger in its growth and habit, it is actually related to spiderworts of the genus Tradescantia, and belongs to the family Commelinaceae. This species is native to tropical woodlands across North, Central, and South America, and is especially associated with Atlantic Forest vegetation in Brazil. It is cultivated for its attractive spotted stems, large shiny horizontally held foliage, and the striking blue flowers that grow atop the plant. It was first formally described by naturalist Johann Christian Mikan in 1823. D. thyrsiflora was first grown in England in 1822, and is recorded in Sir William MacArthur's 1857 catalogue of plants he grew in Camden, located southwest of Sydney. It has since become naturalised in a small region of northeastern New South Wales, Australia. The Latin specific epithet thyrsiflora translates to "with flower clusters resembling thyme". This plant has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
