A member of the family Zingiberaceae. Sometimes called a "hidden" ginger because of the inflorescence being very low on the plant, in amongst the very large sheath-like, pleated leaves. Leaves begin appearing in the late spring, and by summer the bract has formed in a rainbow of colors, hence the common name, Rainbow Curcuma, with the small yellow/yellow-orange flowers appearing a few weeks later. They need a good feeding in the spring when they break dormancy, moist soil, and filtered light or light shade. The inflorescence remains throughout the summer, fading in the beginning of fall. This plant is completely dormant in the winter, when water should be withheld.

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