Plant Datasheet for Costus pulverulentus 'Pink Lips'

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

ACCESSION NOTES:
R2937 - This form of C. pulverulentus typically self-seeds without introducing pollinators even in my Tallahassee greenhouse. It is thus easilly spread and is potentially invasive in warm tropical or subtropical climates.

GINGERSRUS CATALOG LISTING:
I found this plant at a nursery in South Florida, where it was not identified, but later named as Costus 'Pink Lips' by the owner. He got it from a collector in Hawaii where it has spread like crazy from seeds and may be somewhat invasive. In colder climates it is not a problem. I have identified it as a dwarf form of the widespread Costus pulverulentus. I have seen similar forms of C. pulverulentus in Panama which might be its origin. It grows and blooms at under 3 feet tall, and the bracts are green, turning pinkish-red, with the typical shaped flowers of Costus pulverulentus - corolla lobes curled out, stamen much longer than labellum. The inflorescence is also typical, fusiform in shape with the margins of the bracts fibrous. It ise a fairly vigorous grower, and flowered for me the first year from a rhizome.

Hardiness is untested, but possibly this is hardy zone 8B to 9. Its compact size makes it an excellent candidate for growing in a pot so you can move it indoors in winter if necessary. It will grow best in a few hours direct sunlight, I have been growing it under 20% shade but it was growing under shadier conditions in South Florida.