Plant Datasheet for Costus osae

The type was collected on Cerro Brujo along the Quebrada Vaquedano, Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica and the species is endemic to that area. I have seen it several places in the northern part of the peninsula and in the Parque Nacional Piedra Blancas across the Golfo Dulce from the peninsula. It seems to grow only in rocky soil along creeks, but there are usually in large numbers in the places where they are found. It is fairly consistent in appearance with slight differences in the flower color.

Maas described in Brittonia 49(2): 274-279. 1997.
Specimens collected on Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica.
http://www.mobot.org/manual.plantas/041817/S041898.html -
Barry Hammel 18255
Det. by: B. Hammel, III 1993
Phenology: FL 30 June 1991
08:43N 83:34W 200 m
PUNTARENAS, OSA R.F. Golfo Dulce
Península de Osa.
Hierba de ca. 50 cm; bracteas rojizo
anaranjado, los apices recurvados.


ACCESSION NOTES:
R2566 received from Tom Wood who received it from John Banta, origin not known. R3155 received from Carla Black, origin unknown. Tested for winter hardiness by Tom Wood near Gainesville, Florida - zone 8b-9, did not survive. R3155 has been vouchered at the UC Berkeley, Jepsen Herbarium, UC2045837.

OBSERVATION NOTES:

Quebrada Aqua Buena, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica, Latitude 8.667177293, Longitude -83.54817729, at 100 meters elevation.

Rio Bonito, PN Piedras Blancas, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica, Latitude 8.718862821, Longitude -83.38727689, at 100 meters elevation.

GINGERSRUS CATALOG LISTING:
Costus osae is a recently described species from the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica. In nature, I have usually found it growing on the banks of streams in rocky soil where there is regular moisture but well drained. It is usually in part sun to light shade from the opening in the canopy caused by the steam.

It is rarely found in cultivation or for sale in the commercial nursery trade, but I expect that will change soon. The light green leaves have a felt-like texture, much like Costus malortieanus (velvet stepladder ginger). The bright red bracts stand out beautifully against the light green foliage. Costus osae is a medium height ginger, growing to perhaps 4 feet tall at maturity.

I have tested this ginger for cold hardiness here in Tallahassee (zone 8B) and it has not survived. I am guessing that it is hardy only in zone 9B and warmer.