GENUS CHAMAECOSTUS

Chamaecostus is a South American genus comprised of seven described species. This genus was split off from Costus in 2006 based on the molecular analysis work of Dr. Chelsea Specht. Previously they were classified by Dr. Paul Maas as a subspecies Cadalvena. The plants are low or very small plants less than 1 meter in height at maturity. Most species are found in areas with a very distinct dry season and have adapted thickened root tubers to sustain the plants during the dry season, when they go partly or completely dormant. The inflorescences are all terminal on leafy stems and the flowers often brightly colored and showy with broad, flat labellums.

Shown in photo: Chamaecostus lanceolatus subspecies lanceolatus

Shown in photo: Chamaecostus lanceolatus subspecies lanceolatus

CONTINENT	OLD NAME	NEW NAME	STATUS	DATASHEET	FIELD OBSERVATIONS	PHOTO PAGE

Neotropical	Chamaecostus sp. nov.	Chamaecostus manausensis	sp. nov.	See Description		GOOGLE PHOTO ALBUM
Neotropical	Chamaecostus congestiflorus var. glabrior	Chamaecostus congestiflorus	stat. nov.	See Description
Neotropical	Chamaecostus acaulis	Chamaecostus acaulis	accepted	See Description	FIELD OBSERVATIONS	GOOGLE PHOTO ALBUM
Neotropical	Chamaecostus congestiflorus	Chamaecostus congestiflorus	accepted	See Description	FIELD OBSERVATIONS	GOOGLE PHOTO ALBUM
Neotropical	Chamaecostus curcumoides	Chamaecostus curcumoides	accepted	See Description	FIELD OBSERVATIONS	GOOGLE PHOTO ALBUM
Neotropical	Chamaecostus cuspidatus	Chamaecostus cuspidatus	accepted	See Description	FIELD OBSERVATIONS	GOOGLE PHOTO ALBUM
Neotropical	Chamaecostus fragilis	Chamaecostus fragilis	accepted	See Description	FIELD OBSERVATIONS	GOOGLE PHOTO ALBUM
Neotropical	Chamaecostus fusiformis	Chamaecostus fusiformis	accepted	See Description	FIELD OBSERVATIONS	GOOGLE PHOTO ALBUM
Neotropical	Chamaecostus lanceolatus subsp. lanceolatus	Chamaecostus lanceolatus subsp. lanceolatus	accepted	See Description	FIELD OBSERVATIONS	GOOGLE PHOTO ALBUM
Neotropical	Chamaecostus lanceolatus subsp. pulchriflorus	Chamaecostus lanceolatus subsp. pulchriflorus	accepted	See Description
Neotropical	Chamaecostus subsessilis	Chamaecostus subsessilis	accepted	See Description	FIELD OBSERVATIONS	GOOGLE PHOTO ALBUM
Neotropical	Chamaecostus cuspidatus 'Silver Samba'	Chamaecostus cuspidatus 'Silver Samba'	registered cultivar	See Description
	Chamaecostus cuspidatus 'Ornate'	Chamaecostus cuspidatus 'Ornate'	unregistered cultivar	See Description