Plant Datasheet for Costus tarapotensis aff. 'Morning Star'

I collected this plant in northern Peru, San Martin, near the village of Shapaja. This is the same locality for a plant that was originally described in 1931 as Costus tarapotensis by J. F. Macbride, and it appears to closely match the type specimen for that species. It has short truncate ligules, red bracts (when uncovered) and green appendages. There is no visible nectar callus. The bracteoles are about 27 mm long and the calyx is about 17 mm long. Originally I thought this to be one of the forms that loosely fit in Maas' Costus aff. claviger group. If this is indeed the same plant that was described and named as C. tarapotensis by Macbride in 1931, it cannot be a syn. for C. guanaiensis var. tarmicus as both sides of the leaves are densely covered with hairs. It is possible that C. tarapotensis needs to be reinstated as a valid species.

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

ACCESSION NOTES:
R3130 has been vouchered at the UC Berkeley, Jepsen Herbarium, UC2045842.

GINGERSRUS CATALOG LISTING:
I found this plant in Peru on the eastern flank of the Andes near the Rio Huallaga. It was not in flower at the time of collection and I had no idea what species it was, but it had a mature basal inflorescence so I collected some seeds. It has turned out to be a spectacular, profuse flowering form of Costus claviger, or something very close to that species. It produced flowers for me at about 5 feet in height growing in a large pot. For me it has only flowered terminal, but likely has the ability to flower both ways since it was found with a basal inflorescence.