Hedychium

Garland Lily, Butterfly Ginger

Message of the Flower

Sachchidananda

The Mother’s Comment

Strong and pure, it stands erect with its creative power.

Spiritual Message by the Mother/ Quotes by Sri Aurobindo

God is Sachchidananda. He manifests Himself as infinite existence of which the essentiality is consciousness, of which again the essentiality is bliss, is self-delight.

Sri Aurobindo, Isha Upanishad: I. The Lord

The Supreme is Pure Being, Absolute Existence, sat… The Supreme is also Pure Awareness, Absolute Consciousness, cit… The Supreme is, finally, Pure Ecstasy, Absolute Bliss, ananda.

Sri Aurobindo, Kena and Other Upanishads: The Philosophy of the Upanishads

That which has thrown itself out into forms is a triune Existence-Consciousness-Bliss, Sachchidananda, whose consciousness is in its nature a creative or rather a self-expressive Force capable of infinite variation in phenomenon and form of its self-conscious being and endlessly enjoying the delight of that variation. It follows that all things that exist are what they are as terms of that existence, terms of that conscious force, terms of that delight of being.

Sri Aurobindo, The Life Divine - I: Delight of Existence: The Problem

Colour

White and shades of orange, red, yellow, and pink

Family

Zingiberaceae

Cultivars

Various, including 'Assam Orange', 'Tara', 'Stephen'

Person who named the flower

William Roscoe

Flower Size

Can vary, often 2-10 cm in length

Flower Texture

Soft and waxy

Number of Petals

Typically 3 petals and 3 sepals, which are petal-like

Floral Symmetry

Bilateral

Fragrance of Flower

Strongly fragrant, especially at night

Leaf Texture

Smooth, glossy

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate, lanceolate leaves

Leaf Color

Deep green

Structural Variation (Shrub or Tree)

Herbaceous perennial

Life Cycle

Perennial

Blooming Period

Late summer to fall

Climate

Tropical to subtropical

Water Requirements

Moderate, prefers moist but well-drained soil

Soil Type

Rich, loamy, well-drained

Temperature Ranges

Prefers warm conditions; not frost-hardy

Sun or Shade

Partial shade to full sun

Susceptibility to Insects and Diseases

Susceptible to spider mites and root rot in poor drainage

Pollinators

Attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds

Habitat

Native to Asia, from the Himalayas to Southeast Asia

Role in the Ecosystem

Provides nectar for pollinators

Ornamental

Widely cultivated for its ornamental value

Uses in Other Aspects of Life

Primarily ornamental and some culinary uses

Endangered Status

Some species may be under threat due to habitat loss