Zingiberales

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Zingiberales Temporal range: 80–0 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N Late Cretaceous – Recent
Alpinia purpurata (Zingiberaceae)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Zingiberales Griseb.[1][2]
Type genus
Zingiber Mill.
Families
List Cannaceae Juss. Costaceae Nakai Heliconiaceae Vines Lowiaceae Ridl. Marantaceae R.Br. Musaceae Juss. Strelitziaceae Hutch. Zingiberaceae Martinov
Diversity
99 genera[citation needed]
Synonyms[3][4][5]
Amomales Lindl. Cannales R.Br. ex Bercht. et J.Presl Lowiales Takht. ex. Reveal & Doweld Scitamineae Zingiberanae Takht. ex Reveal Zingiberidae Cronquist Zingiberides Zingiberiflorae

The Zingiberales are flowering plants forming one of four orders in the commelinids clade of monocots, together with its sister order, Commelinales. The order includes 68 genera and 2,600 species. Zingiberales are a unique though morphologically diverse order that has been widely recognised as such over a long period of time. They are usually large herbaceous plants with rhizomatous root systems and lacking an aerial stem except when flowering. Flowers are usually large and showy, and the stamens are often modified (staminodes) to also form colourful petal-like structures that attract pollinators.

Zingiberales contain eight families that are informally considered as two groups, differing in the number of fertile stamens. A "banana group" of four families appeared first and were named on the basis of large banana-like leaves. Later, a more genetically coherent (monophyletic) "ginger group" appeared, consisting of the remaining four families. The order, which has a fossil record, is thought to have originated in the Early Cretaceous period between 80 and 120 million years ago (Mya), most likely in Australia, and diverged relatively rapidly with the families as they are known today established by the end of the period (66 Mya). Zingiberales are found throughout the tropics (pantropical) with some extension into subtropical and temperate climates. They rely on insects for pollination, together with some birds and small animals.

The order includes many familiar plants, and are used as ornamental plants (Bird of Paradise flower, heliconias, prayer-plants), food crops (bananas, plantains, arrowroot), spices and traditional medicines (ginger, cardamom, turmeric, galangal, fingerroot and myoga).