Varieties
There are about 50 species of Etlingera throughout tropical Asia. Like many genus, there is some confusion over their naming. These plants are also known by the genus Nicolaia and Phaeomeria, neither of which are properly used anymore. However, the plants are still found with these labels. All but one species of Etlingera are very rare, to the point of impossible to find. The only species you're likely to find in cultivation is E. elatior (also Nicolaia elatior and Phaeomeria magnifica). This plant can grow up to 18 feet in the wild, but you can successful grow in a larger container. It has red, waxy flower bracts.