Globba winitii C.H. Wright 1926, commonly called Dancing Lady ginger is a tropical, rhizomatous plant from the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), native to Thailand.

Globba winitii got its funny name Dancing Lady Ginger, because of its cute yellow flowers, which start to dance around while hit by the slightest breath of wind. In our home country Thailand the tropical plant, which is also available with white flowerbracts (Globba winitii White Dragon), is called Dok Khao Pansa, Dok means flower and Khao Pansa is a Buddhist festivity, held at the day after the August full moon marking the beginning of the rainy season and the beginning of the Buddhist lent. From Khao Pansa until the end of the rainy season (Aok Pansa) about 3 month later, Buddhist monks should stay in a temple and restrain from wandering around, as seeds are sprouting at this time of the year and monks should not step on the new growth. As the dancing lady ginger (Globba winitii) is dormant most time of the year, the plant comes back to life with the end of the hot season in June or July.

In Thailand the long-lasting flowers are very popular and used as cut-flowers as offerings to Lord Buddha and Buddhist monks, but also for flower decorations and exotic flower bouquets. In fall the leaves start to get yellow and the perennial plant will disappear. The tropical ginger plant requires a warm to hot, humid climate and a semi-shade location. During the growth period it needs regularly watering, whilst during the dormant period watering should be restricted. The plant get a height of about 60 cm and don`t tolarate freezing temperatures. To overwinter Globba winitii plants, they should be kept at a cool and dark location. The pink or mauve dancing lady ginger is often sold under the name Globba winitii Ruby Queen.

Flower Photography © Orchids Flowers.com
Image: Dancing Lady Ginger (Globba winitii)

Flower Photography © Orchids Flowers.com
Image: Dancing Lady Ginger (Globba winitii)

Globba species plants at Orchids Flowers.com: