| Spiked spiralflag ginger Indian head ginger | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Costus spicatus in Singapore | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Zingiberales |
| Family: | Costaceae |
| Genus: | Costus |
| Species: | C. spicatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Costus spicatus Jacq. | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Costus spicatus, also known as spiked spiralflag ginger or Indian head ginger, is a species of herbaceous plant in the Costaceae family (also sometimes placed in Zingiberaceae). [1]
Costus spicatus is native to some islands of the Caribbean (including Dominica, Guadeloupe, Hispaniola, Martinique, and Puerto Rico). [1] [2] [3] There has been some confusion about the native range of Costus spicatus. [4] Kew Botanical Gardens lists it as native to Mexico. [3] It has been described as exotic [5] or native [3] to Cuba. Costus spicatus is possibly invasive in lower montane rainforests on Saint Lucia, where botanist Roger Graveson considers it to be an escaped exotic. [6] [7]
Costus spicatus leaves grow to a length of approximately 1 ft (30 cm) and a width of approximately 4 in (10 cm). It produces a short red cone, from which red-orange flowers emerge one at a time. [8] In botanical literature, Costus woodsonii has often been misidentified as Costus spicatus. [9] Costus spicatus is also similar in appearance to Costus scaber and Costus spiralis . [10] [11] [12]
Costus spicatus will grow in full sun if it is kept moist. It reaches a maximum height of about 6 to 7 feet (1.8 to 2.1 m). [8]
Costus spicatus can develop a symbiotic partnership with certain species of ants (often only a single species of ant will be compatible). The ants are provided with a food source (nectar in C. spicatus flowers) as well as a place to construct a nest. In turn, the ants protect developing seeds from herbivorous insects. [8]
Costus spicatus has several traditional uses. According to the Lacandon Maya, Costus spicatus increases soil fertility, is edible, and is a medicine. [13] Other groups also use it in traditional medicine. The Totonac people use Costus spicatus to treat kidney problems and hepatitis. [14] In Trinidad, it has been used to treat sexually transmitted infections. [15]
In Dominican folk medicine, an herbal tea made from the leaves of C. spicatus is used for diabetes (hyperglycemia). However, a 2009 study concluded that C. spicatus tea "...had no efficacy in the treatment of obesity-induced hyperglycemia." [16]
Costus barbatus is a critically endangered species of plant native to Costa Rica.
Costaceae, known as the Costus family or spiral gingers, is a family of pantropical monocots. It belongs to the order Zingiberales, which contains horticulturally and economically important plants such as the banana (Musaceae), bird-of-paradise (Strelitziaceae), and edible ginger (Zingiberaceae). The seven genera in Costaceae together contain about 143 known species. They are native to tropical climates of Asia, Africa, Central America, and South America. Several species are frequently found in cultivation.
Costus is a genus of herbaceous perennial plants in the family Costaceae, erected by Linnaeus in 1753. It is widespread through tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
Costus chartaceus, commonly known as the Christmas costus, is a perennial plant with a red inflorescence first described by Paul Maas in 1972. It is native to Colombia and Ecuador but cultivated as an ornamental in other regions. It is not winter hardy.
Costus osae is a species of flowering plant in the family Costaceae. One of many rare tropical plants in the Costus family, Costus osae is a species native to Costa Rica described in 1997 by Paul Maas and Hiltje Maas-van de Kamer. It has also been reported from Colombia.
Chamaecostus cuspidatus, common name fiery costus or spiral flag, is a species of herbaceous plant in the family Costaceae native to eastern Brazil. In India, it is known as insulin plant for its purported anti-diabetic properties. Chamaecostus cuspidatus has large fleshy-looking leaves. The undersides of these large, smooth, dark green leaves have light purple shade. The leaves are spirally arranged around the stem, forming attractive, arching clumps arising from underground rootstocks. The maximum height of these plants is about two feet. The flowers are orange in color and are 1.5 in (3.8 cm) in diameter. Flowering occurs during the warm months and they appear to be cone-like heads at the tips of branches.
Costus curvibracteatus is a tropical rhizomatous perennial native to Costa Rica and Panama.
Costus malortieanus, known as Stepladder Plant, Spiral Ginger, or Spiral Flag, is a species of perennial herbaceous flowering plant in the family Costaceae. It is native to Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras. Costus malortieanus is often cultivated as an ornamental plant.
Costus woodsonii, the red button ginger or scarlet spiral flag, is a species of flowering plant in the family Costaceae, native to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia. A rhizomatous geophytic perennial, it is recommended for coastal gardens, borders, containers, and general wet, tropical garden applications. It is more widely cultivated than other species of Costus. Costus woodsonii was first described by Paul Maas in 1972 and is named for Robert Woodson of the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Costus pulverulentus, the red cigar or spiral ginger, is a species of flowering plant in the family Costaceae. It is native to Mexico, Central America, Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador, and it has been introduced to Cuba and Florida. It is invasive in Hawaii.
Costus dubius is a species of plant native to Tropical Africa.
Costus lucanusianus is a species of plant native to Africa. It is widely distributed across North East Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa, and Southern Tropical Africa.
Costus comosus, known as red tower ginger, is a species of plant native to South Mexico to Ecuador.
Costus afer, English ginger lily or common ginger lily, is a species of plant native to Tropical Africa.
Costus scaber is a species of plant in the Costaceae family. Its native range is Mexico to Tropical America.
Costus productus, known as orange tulip ginger, dwarf orange ginger, or green mountain spiral flag, is a species of plant in the Costaceae family. Costus productus is native to South Colombia and Peru.
Costus pictus, known as painted spiral ginger or spotted spiral ginger, is a species of plant in the Costaceae family. Its native range is Mexico to Central America.
Costus louisii is a critically endangered species of plant endemic to Gabon.
Costus longibracteolatus is a species of flowering plant in the genus Costus. Its native range is western South America to Guyana, where it grows in forests at lower elevations. Costus longibracteolatus was first described by Paul Maas in 1972.
Costus vinosus is a critically endangered species of plant in the family Costaceae which may now be extinct in the wild. It is endemic to Panama. Costus vinosus was first described by Paul Maas in 1976. As of 2015 Costus vinosus could still be found in the wild.