An ornamental plant used cause of its large dark green spirally arranged leaves. The flowers are white appear in late summer. Flowers are produced in four red coloured bracts. After the flowers fade away, the attractive red cone-shaped bracts remain. The large creepy object is not the petal, but the stamen - the three true petals of each flower are inconspicuous, and are almost hidden by the bell shaped stamen. (www.theflowersofindia.net)

Medicinal uses: The rhizome has been used to treat fever, rash, asthma, bronchitis, and intestinal worms. It is mentioned in the Kama Sutra as an ingredient in a cosmetic to be used on the eyelashes to increase sexual attractiveness.