Hedychium, Butterfly Ginger, Ginger Lily, Kahili Ginger 'Kahili Fiesta'

The World Conservation Union IUCN has included this shrubby species on their list of 100 of the world's worst invasive species, an honor ...Read Moreit shares with only 31 land plants.
http://www.issg.org/database/species/reference_files/100Engl...

It is native to the Himalayas of India, Nepal, and Bhutan. It has become a weed of concern in wild areas of New Zealand, Hawaii, and the Azores. Even where it is not a threat to natural areas, its weedy growth needs to be controlled in the garden. It spreads both by densely matted rhizomes and also by copious seeds spread by birds and mammals.

This is the most widely grown Hedychium species as an ornamental.

Wonderfully fragrant plant - great spires of yellow butterfly flowers

I don't have it growing in our yard and realize it is considered a pest, but I think it is beautiful and oh, so fragrant!

...Read More There is a section of highway on a higher elevation, on the way to the Hawaii National Volcanoes Park lined on both sides with masses of the kahili...as you drive up to the volcano, if the plant is in bloom, the aroma is intoxicating.

This is one of 3 gingers on UH Botony Dept pest plant list. Although it has infested some areas, popularity with horticulturists has kep...Read Moret it from biological control...can't keep an enemy insect or disease in problem areas and out of a growers back yard I guess... Spreads more easily thru seed (via bird) than some other gingers. I confess, I have the other 2 on list, but not this one. I was looking for something else on pest list when I discovered ginger on it.