Plant Datasheet for Costus asplundii

I have seen several plants of this species in habitat in Ecuador and in Amazonian Peru, and in cultivation from various sources. I have only seen it in flower one time - at Lyon Arboretum in Hawaii.

Atlanta Botanical Gardens #92-0790, specimen collected in 1992 in the Coca region of Ecuador by Atlanta Botanic Gardens. Has grown to about 8 ft tall in the greenhouse and conservatory. Has long pointed, narrow leaves with fuzzy undersides, slight purplish color, dark green color on top, dark purplish leaf sheath with prolific hairs near juncture of leaves. Horticulturalist at ABG does not recall this plant flowering. Visited Atlanta Bot Garden again in October 2002. Plant has been moved now to a location on the right side of conservatory, just before the first bridge. Plant is not nearly as tall as before. This appears to me to be Costus asplundii, but not certain as it has not flowered.

HORTICULTURAL NOTES:
Accessions: R2254 was from Smithsonian USBG1994-702, did not survive. R2910, R2966 and R2976-77 all from cultivated plants in US horticulture. R3125 collected near the Rio Mazon in amazonian Peru, has not flowered but vegetatively identical with long narrow leaves with purple undersides and hairs throughout. R3193 from near Gualaquiza in southeastern Ecuador has green narrow leaves and long hairs indicative of C. asplundii, but has not flowered.

GINGERSRUS CATALOG LISTING:
I won't lie to you, this plant is very difficult to bring to flower, but WOW! It is really spectacular when it does bloom. I have only seen it in flower one time, at Lyon Arboretum in Hawaii. The late Ray Baker of Lyon Arboretum was with me at the time and he told me he had never seen it in flower before either.

This plant is mostly grown for its foliage, narrow purple backed leaves, thick long hairs on the stems. I have collected seeds of this species in Peru and in Ecuador, and also have a specimen from US cultivation. It is not known whether the flowers will vary from these collections.