Costus malortieanus, known as Stepladder Plant, Spiral Ginger, or Spiral Flag, is a species of perennial herbaceous flowering plant in the family Costaceae.[3] It is native to Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras.[4] Costus malortieanus is often cultivated as an ornamental plant.[5]

Costus malortieanus
Crape ginger at Puentes Colgantes near Arenal, Costa Rica
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Costaceae
Genus: Costus
Species:
C. malortieanus
Binomial name
Costus malortieanus
H.Wendl.[1]
Synonyms
  • Costus elegans Petersen[2]

Costus malortieanus has large felty leaves and grows up to 1 meter tall. The ligule is short. Flowers are formed at the terminal ends of stalks. The corollas are creamy white to yellow and have red-striped labellum wings.[6]

Costus malortieanus has been introduced in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.[4] It is naturalized on the island of Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A.[7]

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Wendland, Hermann A. Hamburger Garten- und Blumenzeitung 19: 30–31. 1863
  2. ^ Petersen Fl. Bras. 3(3): 52 1890
  3. ^ "Costus malortieanus H. Wendl". Flora & Fauna Web. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Costus elegans Veitch ex J.Dix". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Costus malortieanus". IUCN Red List. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  6. ^ Skinner, Dave (2023). "Gingersrus Database Taxon ID 3217 Costus malortieanus". gingersrus.com. Le Jardin Ombragé GingersRus.com. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  7. ^ Imada, Clyde T. (2019). Hawaiian Naturalized Vascular Plants Checklist (PDF). Bishop Museum. p. 41. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
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