Family: Zingiberaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Curcuma australasica, commonly known as Cape York lily or native turmeric, is native to Maluku, New Guinea, and northern Australia, including the Northern Territory and Queensland. This tropical member of the ginger family grows from underground rhizomes and produces lush, broad green leaves during the warm, wet season. In summer, it sends up striking flower spikes with showy pink to mauve bracts that surround small yellow flowers. Although related to culinary turmeric, it is grown primarily for its ornamental appeal. Cape York lily thrives in warm, humid climates with partial shade and moist, well-drained soils, making it well suited to tropical and subtropical gardens. It is commonly used in shaded borders, mass plantings, and large containers for seasonal color.

Risks, Threats & Management
Curcuma australasica is considered Low Risk. It is not known to spread aggressively or naturalize widely in Hawaiʻi or other tropical regions. The plant expands slowly by rhizomes and typically remains confined to cultivated areas. As with many rhizomatous ornamentals, proper disposal of unwanted plant material is recommended to prevent accidental spread. With routine garden maintenance, Cape York lily can be a vibrant and responsible choice for tropical landscapes.

High Risk Traits:

• Grows in tropical climates
  
• A geophyte capable of reproducing by rhizomes, and tubers.
  
• May also be propagated by seeds, if available
  
• Seeds have arils, and if produced, might be dispersed by birds or ants (vector unknown)
  
• May be able to regenerate from rhizomes
  
• Limited ecological information reduces accuracy of risk prediction

Low Risk Traits:

• No reports of invasiveness or naturalization
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• No reports of toxicity
  
• Ornamental