Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Zingiberales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
afer
ID:
363489

Status:
valid

Authors:
Ker Gawl.

Source:
wcs

Year:
1823

Citation Micro:
Bot. Reg. 8: t. 683 (1823)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000362821

Common Names

  • Costus Afer
  • Afer Costus
  • Costus of Afer

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Synonyms

  • Costus anomocalyx K.Schum. [unknown]
  • Costus deistelii K.Schum. [unknown]
  • Costus edulis De Wild. & T.Durand [unknown]
  • Costus insularis A.Chev. [unknown]
  • Costus megalobractea K.Schum. [unknown]
  • Costus oblitterans K.Schum. [unknown]
  • Costus pterometra K.Schum. [unknown]
  • Costus pulcherrimus A.Chev. [unknown]
  • Costus sarmentosus Bojer [unknown]
  • Costus subbiflorus K.Schum. [unknown]
  • Costus trachyphyllus K.Schum. [unknown]
  • Costus ulugurensis K.Schum. [unknown]
  • Costus bingervillensis A.Chev. [unknown]

Description

Costus afer (also called African Costus, among many other common names) is a perennial plant native to Africa. It has long, slender stems and small, oval-shaped leaves. It grows in moist soils and is often found in meadows, grasslands, and open woodlands.

Uses & Benefits

Costus afer is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a food source for livestock. It is also used medicinally to treat various ailments such as fever, colds, and digestive problems.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Costus afer has small, yellow flowers with five petals and a short, straight spur. The seeds are small, black, and round. The seedlings have two cotyledons and long, thin stems.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Costus afer is a perennial herb that prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Propagation is usually done by seed, which should be sown in spring or early summer. Division of the plant can also be done in spring or early summer.

Where to Find Costus afer

Costus afer is native to Africa and is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania.

Costus afer FAQ

What is the scientific name of Costus afer?

Costus afer

What is the family of Costus afer?

Costaceae

What is the origin of Costus afer?

Central and South America

Species in the Costus genus

Costus acanthocephalus, Costus acreanus, Costus adolphi-friderici, Costus afer, Costus allenii, Costus amazonicus, Costus arabicus, Costus asplundii, Costus asteranthus, Costus barbatus, Costus beckii, Costus bicolor, Costus bracteatus, Costus chartaceus, Costus chrysocephalus, Costus claviger, Costus clemensae, Costus comosus, Costus cordatus, Costus cupreifolius, Costus curvibracteatus, Costus dendrophilus, Costus dinklagei, Costus dirzoi, Costus dubius, Costus erythrocoryne, Costus erythrophyllus, Costus erythrothyrsus, Costus fortalezae, Costus gabonensis, Costus geothyrsus, Costus giganteus, Costus glaucus, Costus guanaiensis, Costus juruanus, Costus laevis, Costus lasius, Costus lateriflorus, Costus ledermannii, Costus leucanthus, Costus ligularis, Costus lima, Costus longibracteolatus, Costus lucanusianus, Costus maboumiensis, Costus macranthus, Costus malortieanus, Costus microcephalus, Costus montanus, Costus mosaicus,

Species in the Costaceae family

Chamaecostus congestiflorus, Chamaecostus curcumoides, Chamaecostus cuspidatus, Chamaecostus fragilis, Chamaecostus fusiformis, Chamaecostus lanceolatus, Chamaecostus subsessilis, Chamaecostus acaulis, Costus acanthocephalus, Costus acreanus, Costus adolphi-friderici, Costus afer, Costus allenii, Costus amazonicus, Costus arabicus, Costus asplundii, Costus asteranthus, Costus barbatus, Costus beckii, Costus bicolor, Costus bracteatus, Costus chartaceus, Costus chrysocephalus, Costus claviger, Costus clemensae, Costus comosus, Costus cordatus, Costus cupreifolius, Costus curvibracteatus, Costus dendrophilus, Costus dinklagei, Costus dirzoi, Costus dubius, Costus erythrocoryne, Costus erythrophyllus, Costus erythrothyrsus, Costus fortalezae, Costus gabonensis, Costus geothyrsus, Costus giganteus, Costus glaucus, Costus guanaiensis, Costus juruanus, Costus laevis, Costus lasius, Costus lateriflorus, Costus ledermannii, Costus leucanthus, Costus ligularis, Costus lima,

References