flaflwrgrl said:Thanks Elaine.

Same here but thanks to both of you! I will try to get a photo when it gets light and post it this evening.

What I have been primarily searching through these sites for are height of the gingers. Most of those that are smaller have rounded leaves or resemble Canna leaves. This little plant is very similar to the true ginger.

Thanks too, Jean for the link to the Ginger Gallery link ~ another site to lust through.

You are most welcome, Kristie. I am fortunate to live in the same town as Gingerwood Nursery.... of course my husband has other words for it...

All right, I took these photos this a.m. This is in a raised bed.

I keep these beds mulched and watered when needed. The plantings are vegetables mixed with herbs mixed with a few annual and perennial bloomers.

I put this ginger in one of these raised beds as an herb. I think I mentioned earlier that it was sold to me as an 'edible ginger'.

I also used a yardstick on the plants to show the height. And that was shorter than I would have guessed. The 3rd photo is the tallest frond at 19 inches but it is not the norm.

Kristi, Have you looked at the Dwarf Elettaria cardamomom? It is a medium growing ground cover that grows between 24 and 36 inches. The leaves are fragrant when touched.

http://www.excelsagardens.com/...

http://www.plantdelights.com/E... (no pic but a description)

From what little information I have found online, I do believe you have snagged it, Jean. Thank you so much for that direction.

In reading through some of the info, the lines are blurred between the regular and the dwarf Cardamomom so I will try to do more research.

It apparently doesn't bloom, propagated by division. Also it apparently can be used to wrap fish when cooking. I may have to experiment as the foliage smells wonderful.

Meanwhile, I will mark this thread 'solved' unless anyone can see a reason not to do so. Thanks all...

I don't think it is quite solved yet.

True Cardamom grows quite tall. Companies sell plants labelled as 'Dwarf Cardamom' when that may not be the correct name - there are no rules when it comes to common names. Unless companies label the plants with the botanical names many companies and individuals call a plant Cardamom when in fact it is a ginger and should be labelled False Cardamom?

I didn't explain that very well, but this link does a better job of it; see information regarding Elettaria Cardamom:

http://www.randys-tropicalplan...

I have a thought... Perhaps you could go to the Gingerwood Nursery site and send an e-mail to Tim Chapman along with pictures. He is very knowledgeable. This is from a profile...

"Gingerwood Nursery is located in St. Gabriel, Louisiana and is the project of Timothy Chapman. The nursery has been in existence in one shape or another for over 10 years. For the early years it was mainly a hobby and a way to help pay for a very bad plant addiction. In the last few years it has been building up for a much larger operation. The mission of Gingerwood Nursery is to provide both the best selection of ornamental gingers (and related plants) as well as to be the most complete and useful source of information for the collector and gardener. It is important to educate both the customers as well as other nurseries and organizations. Through the book ,Ornamental Gingers: A Guide to Selection and Cultivation, the public had the first reference on the ginger family. The reference site takes off where the book ended providing many more photos and current information on older varieties as well as many new introductions. The reference site is designed to be useful to anybody interested in gingers, not just my customers. It is an ongoing project that is only in its infancy but will continue to grow. In addition to my own efforts, other books and items of interest from others are available to you through the store. The on-line forums are included as a free service to anybody wishing to discuss gingers, bananas, and related plants. I hope that you find our latest efforts to be very useful and informative. The goal of Gingerwood Nursery is to be the leader in the areas of selection, quality, information, and new introductions. We are constantly looking for new material to offer. Through my own efforts I have many new items in development. I am also working with many other collectors and breeders to always have new material to offer every year. I am building my collection on many types of gingers and will be able to offer both the old standards as well as the exclusive new material. "

I think you could get a definitive ID from him.

My apologies for not getting back here sooner.

Thanks Greene for that interesting link. It certainly sounds like the plant I have.

I also appreciate the suggestion to contact Gingerwood Nursery ~ Jean.

Unfortunately my time doesn't look like it will free up any time soon and I hate to start the contact with them when I may not be able to follow through.

I would gladly share a division of this with you or anyone who may wish to pursue a more positive identity.

I will say, I was disappointed in the reputable online company that sold this as edible ginger. That single experience illustrates the internet as a resource can be "iffy" at best.

one and all...

Did you mention the name of the internet source? I would be curious to see how it was advertised at the time you made the purchase.
Many parts of several types of ginger plants are edible; leaves, shoots, roots/rhizomes, etc. but you need to know the botanical name to be sure; the term 'edible ginger' may be a bit vague but not necessarily untrue. Some people just make the assumption that 'edible ginger' is the grocery store ginger root.

Yes, please, I would like to take you up on your offer to share a division. I would gladly send you a division of my plant in exchange or will send postage, whichever you prefer. Please send me a Tree-mail when you have time.

Thanks and good luck identifying your plant.

Hi Kristi,

You are most welcome. I just wish we could have nailed an ID.

If you have a division to spare, I would be pleased to have one . Perhaps I can get an ID for us all.

Isn't that always the case? Life has a way of happening while we are making plans. I do hope things settle for you soon.

Jean