Costus woodsonii, the red button ginger or scarlet spiral flag, is a species of flowering plant in the family Costaceae, native to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia.[2][3] A rhizomatous geophytic perennial, it is recommended for coastal gardens, borders, containers, and general wet, tropical garden applications.[3] It is more widely cultivated than other species of Costus.[4] Costus woodsonii is named for Robert Woodson of the Missouri Botanical Garden.
| Costus woodsonii | |
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| Inflorescence | |
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| Mass effect | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Zingiberales |
| Family: | Costaceae |
| Genus: | Costus |
| Species: | C. woodsonii
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| Binomial name | |
| Costus woodsonii | |
Ecology
editThe inflorescence of C. woodsonii has bracts that produce extrafloral nectar. This nectar attracts ants that interfere with oviposition by herbivores of the plant.[5] White-faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus) eat Costus woodsonii.[6]
References
edit- ^ Skinner, D. (2014). "Costus woodsonii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T56349436A56353263. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T56349436A56353263.en. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Costus woodsonii Maas". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ a b "Costus woodsonii Maas". nparks.gov.sg. Flora Fauna Web. 14 October 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ Skinner, Dave. "Costus woodsonii". GingersRus. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ Schemske, Douglas W. (1980). "The Evolutionary Significance of Extrafloral Nectar Production by Costus woodsonii (Zingiberaceae): An Experimental Analysis of Ant Protection". Journal of Ecology. 68 (3): 959–967. doi:10.2307/2259468. ISSN 0022-0477.
- ^ Campbell, Jennifer Christine (2013). White-faced Capuchins (Cebus capucinus) of Cahuita National Park, Costa Rica: Human Foods and Human Interactions. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
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