Plant Datasheet for Costus varzearum

Distribution is reported only in Brazil (Acre and Amazonas) but also found in adjacent parts of Peru. It grows in varzea forests (seasonally flooded) and thus at low altitudes, under 300 meters. On GBIF only 7 collection records were found indicating this species is somewhat rare in the wild. It has not yet been assessed for the IUCN Red List.

ACCESSION NOTES:
This species is quite common in cultivation and I have 6 accessions, three of which appear to be identical clones.

R1394 was purchased at a local nursery incorrectly tagged as Costus stenophyllus. This collection has been vouchered at the UC Berkeley, Jepsen Herbarium, UC2045810.Other accessions (R2939, R2940, R2984 and R2994) were received in trade, some originating at Glasshouse Works and incorrectly tagged, all identical to R1394. The other plant (R3282) was received from Plant Group Hawaii as Costus varzerarum 'Maldonado' and is believed collected by the late Mark Collins at Puerto Maldonado in Madre de Dios, Peru. This is a distinctly different form with flowers whose labellum folds outward and with slightly shorter ligules and other minor differences from the more common form in cultivation. R3282 has been vouchered at the UC Berkeley, Jepsen Herbarium, UC2045811.

GINGERSRUS CATALOG LISTING:
This Costus is often incorrectly identified as Costus sanguineus or a few other names. The name comes from its natural habitat in the seasonally flooded (varzea) forests of the Amazon basin. Costus varzearum is distinctive by its wavy leaves with purple undersides and dark green upper sides. The foliage is very attractive and tropical looking. It grows to about 5 feet tall in light shade to part sun. The flowers appear from early summer to fall on terminal inflorescenses with green bracts. They are a soft creamy yellow with bright red markings on the labellums.

It can be planted in filtered shade to part sun (up to about 2 hours direct sun) in rich, moist, organic soil. It is reported hardy to zone 9 but may be a bit hardier. I have left it outdoors in my Tallahassee zone 8B garden and it has returned just fine in milder winters. It is important not to keep the soil wet during dormancy, or the rhizomes will rot.