Plant Datasheet for Costus erythrophyllus 'Grey Ghost'

Formerly referrred to as simply "Grey Form", I have now given this a cultivar name 'Grey Ghost'. The cultivar description is as follows: Leaves are plicate, distinctively light grey on upper sides with dark puple undersides. Long, deeply lobed ligules. Taller than common form of C. erythrophyllus, frequently flowers both basally and terminal. Bract appendages are green with purplish streaks.

Cultivar Registry Photo at http://www.gingersrus.com/Registry/Costus_GreyGhost.jpg

Per records at Smithsonian, this collection was identified by Paul Maas in 2008 as Costus varzearum. It was from a John Kress collection 94-5379, collection location not shown.

ACCESSION NOTES:
R2257 from the Smithsonian greenhouses, USBRG#1994-680. This collection has been vouchered at the UC Berkeley, Jepsen Herbarium, UC2045785.

GINGERSRUS CATALOG LISTING:
Note: This was previously listed simply as 'Grey Form' but I have now given it a cultivar name of 'Grey Ghost'.

This is not the typical Costus erythrophyllus form that is sometimes found in the horticultural trade. Instead of the dark green upper foliage, this one has a silvery grey color, and the dark purple undersides of the foliage contrasts beautifully with the grey green uppersides. This form also has spiraling stems instead of the stocky straight stems of the usual form. Both plants are beautiful, but this one is absolutely unique, and (I think) even more beautiful. In the picture below, I have tried to capture the unique grey-green color of the foliage contrasted against the blood red undersides. It has a really striking appearance, and everyone who sees it in my greenhouse notices it, even those who do not know much about Costus.

I have bloomed this Costus both terminally on a leafy stem, and basally on a separate stem arising from the rhizome. The inflorescense - bracts and flowers - match the botanical description of Costus erythrophyllus in every respect, so I am relatively certain this plant is simply another form from the typical one found in cultivation.

This is a shade loving Costus, and should be grown in no more than 2-3 hours of direct sun. It has not been tested for hardiness, but I am guessing that like the normal form this one will not be hardy north of zone 10, or zone 9B at best. I lost my first specimen in a small greenhouse when the temperatures there fell to the mid thirties during several nights.