1. Showy perennial of marshlands of eastern and central North America having waxy lanceolate leaves and flower with lower part creamy white and upper parts pale pink to deep purple
   "shellflower is also called turtlehead due to its unique flower shape";
   - shell-flower, turtlehead, snakehead, snake-head, Chelone glabra
    
2. Cultivated for its shining oblong leaves and arching clusters of white flowers with pink shading and crinkled yellow lips with variegated magenta stripes
   "The shellflower's intricate blooms attracted many admirers";
   - shall-flower, shell ginger, Alpinia Zerumbet, Alpinia speciosa, Languas speciosa

Derived forms: shellflowers, shell-flowers

Type of: bog plant, ginger, marsh plant, swamp plant

Part of: Alpinia, Chelone, genus Alpinia, genus Chelone, genus Languas, genus Zerumbet

Encyclopedia: Shellflower