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Costus speciosus
Costus speciosus is a NON-NATIVE ASIAN species of Costus that is very commonly cultivated throughout Costa Rica, and sometimes escapes into the wild. It is indeed a beautiful plant with showy white flowers. It is not particularly agressive, but there is some risk of displacement of native plants when it is allowed to escape cultivation. NOTE: This and other Asian species of Costus have recently (March 2006) been moved to a new genus, Cheilocostus.
Costus speciosus grows to about 2 meters tall and produces inflorescences with small dark reddish colored non-appendaged bracts that usually do not fully cover the calyx. The bracteoles wrap around the calyx. The flowers are snowy white and broad, with some forms being pinkish colored. In horticulture this Costus is sometimes called the "crepe ginger" due to the ruffled edges of the labellums.
| Photos and description by Dave Skinner, www.gingersrus.com |
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