Plant Datasheet for Costus megalobractea

The African Plant Database lists this species as accepted but uncertain status. Biology : Robust perennial herb with distinct leafy and flowering shoots; leafy stems 20-30 cm tall Ecology : Cameroon: Gross-Batanga; type: J. Braun 1888, lost.

There are several African species that are easily confused with each other as they are superficially similar looking. The various names and PIDs where information is stored on this website are as follows:
Costus afer -PID 3430 - 2 flowers per bract
Costus albus -PID 4868 - single flower per bract
Costus dallachyi - on tag at National Tropical Botanic Garden
Costus deistelii -PID 3754
Costus dinklagei -PID 7279
Costus dubius -PID3597 - single flower per bract
Costus maculatus -PID 3604 - 2 flowers per bract
Costus megalobractea -PID 3755
These plants have also been circulated from Europeon botanical gardens originating at the Severoceska Bot. Garden in Czech Republic under the name Tapeinochilos spectabile - believed to actually be Costus maculatus.

Specimen at NTBG 990794 seed from Indonesia Botanical Garden Index Seminum 1992 - 1993. This record was just entered 10/16/2006 and does not give genus/species

LISTING AT:
Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, "The Domes", Milwaukee, WI (Picture taken there, white flowers on inflorescense very low to ground) NOTE: This is probably an erroneous identification, plant looks like Costus dubius.

Schumann describes this species and places in subgenus Eucostus - Das Pflanzenreich IV, 1904.