At almost opposite times of the year I get two crops of Maraca Flowers each year with red ones in November in my front gardens and these yellow ones in April to June in my back garden, which is always the larger of the two crops. Some North Americans or other English speakers call them “Shampoo Ginger” or “Pinecone Ginger” while Costa Ricans call them “Maracas.” My first time to see them was on one of my expeditions to Guatemala and loved this tropical oddity from the beginning. And its aromatic liquid in the bracts can actually be used as a shampoo or conditioner. 🙂 The scientific name is Zingiber zerumbet and they are usually red, yellow or orange in color.
And on the other side of my house (streetside) are the red ones now dying out as these yellow one come in. I don’t know why they are on different schedules, but it means I always have some Maracas blooming! 🙂
Continue reading “This Year’s Maraca Crop”
