CLICK HERE to see a description of accession #R2969 . (opens in new window). PLANT FAMILY: Costaceae BOTANICAL NAME: Costus erythrophyllus 'Grey Ghost' FORMAL SCIENTIFIC NAME: STATUS : CONTINENT: Neotropical SYNONYMS: BOTANICAL NOTES: This specimen came from the Smithsonian USBRG #1994-680; collected by J. Kress 94-5379, as C. sarzcarum; ID by Chelsea Specht first as C. varzearum, then as C. acreanus; leaves silvery / red. It differs from other forms of Costus erythrophyllus by the color of the upper side of the leaves, which are distinctively light grey in color with deep purple undersides. The bracts and flowers are similar to the more common form in cultivation. This specimen also grows somewhat taller than the common form, to about 1 to 1 1/2 meters tall. It flowers both terminally and basally as does the common form. It is also found at Lyon Arboretum, accession # 99.0136 which came from the Smithsonian. It was identified by Chelsea Specht as C. acreanus, but it clearly has appendaged bracts contrary to the description of C. acreanus. Within the currenly described species, I would place it in C. erythrophyllus. 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. GINGERSRUS CATALOG LISTING: 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.
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