| 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 | |
| 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 São Tomé, it is known to be used as a diuretic. [16]
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." [17]