Wild ginger is an invasive plant that is fast growing, lives a long time, and is able to outcompete native plants. It forms deep rhizome (underground fleshy stem) beds that replace all other species. Nothing can grow up through the mats of tubers, and the dense leaves block light and smother natives.

Seeds are spread by birds and pests, and rhizomes will resprout from any fragment and can survive being crushed, immersed in the sea, and away from soil for years.

Wild ginger can grow in a variety of habitats. It is extremely shade tolerant, tolerates most soil types — good or poor drainage and fertility — and is drought and frost tolerant once established.

• Size: Non-woody perennial that grows up to 2 metres. It is ginger scented with erect, unbranched stems that thicken to a short pinkish 'collar' at the base. 
• Leaves: Shiny, slightly ‘hanging’ leaves that alternate on stems.  
• Flowers/seeds: Flowerheads are usually 25–45 cm tall with many fragrant lemon-yellow flowers. Clearly visible red stamens are produced from January to March and develop into fruiting spikes with fleshy orange fruits (1.5–2 cm long) containing many bright scarlet seeds. 
• Root system: Massive, taro-like rhizomes that are long and shallow rooted, have many branches, form deep beds and grow over each other close to the surface. Each rhizome segment (4 x 10 cm) usually produces an above-ground stem annually. 
• Habitat: Includes damp forests and forest margins, streamsides, river systems, shrublands, and fernlands.  

Wild ginger can be easily identified by its clearly visible red stamens, produced in summer and early autumn (January–March). 

There are no rules for landowners in Otago regarding wild ginger. Under the Otago Regional Pest Management Plan (2019–2029), it is only classified as an organism of interest, with sites being recorded for possible control in the future.

Landowners/occupiers are encouraged to report wild ginger on their properties, or sightings, using the reporting tool at orc.govt.nz/reportpests