ginger lilies

August brings out one of my favorite flowers, my  fragrant ginger lilies. Ginger lilies belong to a family of 1600 different species and it is related to the culinary ginger . Its nickname is garland flower as leis are made from it and like many flowers the petals are edible, wonderful in salads. At night the flowers attract moths.  Medicinally the rhizomes have been used for asthma, aches, pains and poor circulation. The aroma is delightful, it permeates my entire back yard.