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 #R2995 . (opens in new window). CLICK HERE to see a description of accession #R2692 . (opens in new window). PLANT FAMILY: Costaceae BOTANICAL NAME: Costus woodsonii FORMAL SCIENTIFIC NAME: Costus woodsonii Maas STATUS :Accepted CONTINENT: Neotropical SYNONYMS: Costus spiralis auct. non (Jacq.) Roscoe: Woodson (1942), BOTANICAL NOTES: This is an accepted neo-tropical Costus species. It was first described in 1972 by Paul Maas in his monograph in the Flora Neotropica series. It is easily confused with Costus scaber or Costus spiralis but can be distinguished by the shape of the leaves, usually cordate at the base and smaller and rounder in shape, not hairy. In all specimens I have seen, this species lacks the single line of hairs along the upper side midrib of the leaves, as is found (with the help of a lens) on the leaves of Costus scaber. The flowers are also somewhat distinct with the opening in the labellum being very small. The flowers protrude from the bracts at an angle similar to C. scaber but unlike C. spiralis whose flowers are erect. Further details of the formal description can be found at the link above. This species is found in cultivation in two different forms, most popular is a dwarf form that flowers at about 1 meter tall but is also found in a taller form (more common in nature) that grows to 2-3 meters tall. In nature, it is found along the Caribbean coast of southern Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama growing at low altitudes (under 100 meters) and even growing in sandy soil on the beach right up to the edge of the water along the coast. I have seen this species growing in Costa Rica at Cahuita National Park and in Panama along the coast near the Rio Piedra. It has been reported along the Pacific coast of Colombia but I did not find it at the reported site and I believe it was confused with Costus scaber that does grow there. In 2014 I completed an IUCN Red List assessment for this species and found it to be of "Least Concern". The assessment can be found at http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/56349436. OBSERVATION NOTES:Coatal hwy, .5 km south of Rio Piedra, Colon, Panama, Latitude 9.449097778, Longitude -79.74280028, at 15 meters elevation. Cahuita National Park, Limón Province, Costa Rica, Latitude 9.734, Longitude -82.834, at 5 meters elevation. Cahuita, Limon, Costa Rica, Latitude 9.735, Longitude -82.836, at 0 meters elevation. GINGERSRUS CATALOG LISTING: Some forms are about 2 meters tall but others are shorter, maturing and flowering at about 1 meter. It has bright red bracts and tubular red flowers with a very small opening to the labellum. It can fill an area and makes a showy garden plant. It grows best in sunny areas.
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