Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Zingiberales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
dubius
ID:
363657

Status:
valid

Authors:
(Afzel.) K.Schum.

Source:
wcs

Year:
1904

Citation Micro:
Pflanzenr. , IV, 46: 409 (1904)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000362989

Common Names

  • Costus dubius
  • Dubius Spiral Ginger
  • Red Spiral Ginger

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Synonyms

  • Costus afer maculatus (Roscoe) Baker [unknown]
  • Costus albus A.Chev. ex Koechlin [unknown]
  • Costus littoralis K.Schum. [unknown]
  • Costus maculatus Roscoe [unknown]
  • Costus zechii K.Schum. [unknown]
  • Zingiber dubium Afzel. [deprecated]

Description

Costus dubius (also called Red Spiral Ginger, among many other common names) is a tropical perennial plant native to South America. It has a clumping growth habit and grows in moist, shady forests. The leaves are long and narrow and the flowers are red and tubular.

Uses & Benefits

Costus dubius is used for its medicinal properties. It is known to have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and anti-bacterial properties, and is used to treat a variety of ailments.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

The flower of Costus dubius is a yellow-green, three-lobed flower with a hairy calyx. The seed is a small, dark brown nutlet. The seedlings are small, hairy, and have a single pair of leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Costus dubius is a tropical perennial plant that is easy to grow and propagate. It prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Propagation is best done by division or by stem cuttings. Division should be done in spring or early summer. Stem cuttings should be taken from the top of the plant and planted in moist soil. Keep the soil moist and the cuttings should root in a few weeks.

Where to Find Costus dubius

Costus dubius is native to tropical Africa and can be found in moist, shady areas such as forests and swamps.

Costus dubius FAQ

What is the scientific name of Costus dubius?

Costus dubius

What is the common name of Costus dubius?

Dubious costus

What is the natural habitat of Costus dubius?

It is found in tropical rainforests in 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

The Plant List v1.1 record kew-234612: Based on the initial data import
Karl Moritz Schumann (1851-1904): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'K.Schum.' in the authors string.
Adam Afzelius (1750-1837): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Afzel.' in the authors string.