CLICK HERE for a detailed botanical description and identification key for this species (opens in new window). CLICK HERE to see a description of accession #R1394 . (opens in new window). CLICK HERE to see a description of accession #R3282 . (opens in new window). PLANT FAMILY: Costaceae BOTANICAL NAME: Costus varzearum FORMAL SCIENTIFIC NAME: Costus varzearum Maas STATUS :Accepted CONTINENT: Neotropical SYNONYMS: Costus claviger sensu Maas (1972), BOTANICAL NOTES: This is an accepted neo-tropical Costus species described in 1976 by Paul Maas. The species was split out from Costus claviger having a longer two-lobed ligule and smaller leaves with a terminal instead of a basal inflorescence. The typical form has dark green wavy leaves with purplish undersides and purplish stems especially at the ligules and petioles. Plant grows to less than one meter tall and is all glabrous. The inflorescence is on the smallish size, green bracts and appendages, red on the covered parts. Flowers are yellow, open labellum with red stripes on the wings. 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. 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: ![]() |