Renealmia is a genus of roughly 80 species in the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), with origins split between tropical Africa and tropical South America. The plants grow from fragrant rhizomes and produce light green, wavy-edged leaves that release a sharp gingery scent when handled. What makes the genus visually distinctive are its inflorescences: either basal (emerging from the base) or terminal, they are wrapped in hard, waxy, colorful bracts that bear an uncanny resemblance to miniature pineapples. Flower color runs toward gold and yellow, and the overall plant stands anywhere from 5 inches to a foot tall.

Renealmia is strictly a warm-climate plant and offers no cold hardiness, making it a natural for interiorscapes and conservatories outside the tropics. In genuinely tropical gardens it can be grown as a herbaceous ornamental, adding texture and fragrance to shaded borders. Note that scientists have identified potentially toxic compounds in the genus, so the plant should never be consumed despite its culinary-sounding relatives.