It could very well be Zingiber spectabile. There are a few natural hybrids of this plant, one more redish, one more yellow and one much darker. A possible reason it's not though, is what you are saying it's height is. Spectabile is a pretty tall ginger. It doesn't naturally go dormant, but you living in zone 8(letting it go dormant???) - might account for it being shorter.

Perhaps if you post a picture though, someone can say definitely what it is.

how small was the inflorescence? There are several species that could fit the bill, but if its something common it could be Z. officinale, the common edible ginger. Without much more to go on it would be hard to say anything definite though. pictures?

Tim Chapman

I didn't question the identity of this ginger until recently, so I didn't take any pictures while it was blooming.

Minibim, my reference book says that Z. spectabile has black flowers and is only hardy to zone 10. That was my reason for ruling out that species. Do you have other information?

Tim, the inflorescence was slightly smaller than a tennis ball atop a foot tall stalk. The "scales" were yellowish along the upper edge. The leaves were appx. 2-2.5 wide and maybe 16 inches long. BTW The Gingerwood website looks great!

Thanks to both of you for your responses. I know it is hard to id without a picture.