Costus spectabilis (Fenzl) K. Schum.
All images: Click on each image to see a larger version and details of the record View selected images
Picture: Stefaan Dondeyne
Kasungu National Park, Malawi
Picture: Stefaan Dondeyne
Kasungu National Park, Malawi
Picture: Stefaan Dondeyne
Kasungu National Park, Malawi
Picture: Stefaan Dondeyne
At boundary Mpunga-Chinda-Zinguena Communities, Moribane
Picture: Stefaan Dondeyne
At boundary Mpunga-Chinda-Zinguena Communities, Moribane
Woodland; cultivated Lilayi
The vertical rhizome can reach over 30cm in length and 2.5cm wide but are brittle and easily broken
Apr 2012
Photo: Nick Wightman
Woodland; cultivated Lilayi
Developing rhizomes adapt to obstacles during growth and can become misshapen
May 2015
Photo: Nick Wightman
Hysteranthous form Flower
Miombo woodland
Dabuyu Farms, Lilayi, Lusaka District, Lusaka
Dec 2015
Photo: Nick Wightman
Hysteranthous form Flower
Miombo woodland
Dabuyu Farms, Lilayi, Lusaka District, Lusaka
Dec 2011
Photo: Nick Wightman
Synanthous form Flower
Miombo woodland
Dabuyu Farms, Lilayi, Lusaka District, Lusaka
Oct 2015
Photo: Nick Wightman
Synanthous form Flower
Miombo woodland
Dabuyu Farms, Lilayi, Lusaka District, Lusaka
Oct 2015
Photo: Nick Wightman
Fruit & seeds
Miombo woodland
Dabuyu Farms, Lilayi, Lusaka District, Lusaka
Feb 2021
Photo: Nick Wightman
Costus spectabilis vs. C. macranthus flower size comparison 1
Miombo woodland/Termitaria
Dabuyu Farms, Lilayi, Lusaka Distr.
Nov 2020
Photo: Nick Wightman
Costus spectabilis vs. C. macranthus flower size comparison 2
Miombo woodland/Termitaria
Dabuyu Farms, Lilayi, Lusaka Distr.
Nov 2020
Photo: Nick Wightman
Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)
Synonyms:
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Common names:
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Frequency:
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Status:
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Native |
Description:
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Low perennial herb. Leaves 4, somewhat fleshy, flat against the ground in a basal rosette, broadly obovate-spathulate, up to c. 12 × 12 cm, hairless above, pubescent below, particularly on the midrib; margin entire, often edged purple-pink. Inflorescence terminal, arising from the centre of the rosette. Flowers showy, yellow, opening one at the time. |
Type location:
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Notes:
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Derivation of specific name:
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spectabilis: noteworthy, spectacular |
Habitat:
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Altitude range: |
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Flowering time: | |
Worldwide distribution:
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Widespread from Sierra Leone to Sudan and South to Angola and Zimbabwe |
Zambian distribution (Flora Zambesiaca):
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N,W,C,E,S |
Zambian distribution (Provinces):
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Nw,Cb |
Growth form(s):
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Endemic status:
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Red data list status:
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Insects associated with this species:
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Spot characters:
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Display spot characters for this species |
Content last updated: |
Wednesday 9 February 2022 |
Literature:
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Baumann, G. (2005). Photographic Guide to Wildflowers of Malawi Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi Pages 238 - 239. (Includes a picture).
Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 122.
Lock, J.M. & Diniz, M.A. (2010). Costaceae Flora Zambesiaca 13(4) Pages 115 - 117. (Includes a picture).
Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 112.
Moriarty, A. (1975). Wild Flowers of Malawi Purnell & sons Cape Town. Pages 35 - 36. (Includes a picture).
Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 108.
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Other sources of information about Costus spectabilis:
Our websites:
Flora of Caprivi:
cultivated Costus spectabilisFlora of Malawi:
Costus spectabilisFlora of Mozambique:
Costus spectabilisFlora of Zimbabwe:
Costus spectabilisExternal websites:
African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg):
Costus spectabilisAfrican Plant Database:
Costus spectabilisBHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library):
Costus spectabilisEOL (Encyclopedia of Life):
Costus spectabilisGBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility):
Costus spectabilisGoogle:
Web -
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ScholariNaturalist:
Costus spectabilisIPNI (International Plant Names Index):
Costus spectabilisJSTOR Plant Science:
Costus spectabilisMansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops:
Costus spectabilisPlants of the World Online:
Costus spectabilisTropicos:
Costus spectabilisWikipedia:
Costus spectabilis
Copyright: Mike Bingham, Annette Willemen, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Mark Hyde, 2011-24
Bingham, M.G., Willemen, A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. and Hyde, M.A.
(2024).
Flora of Zambia: Species information: Costus spectabilis. https://www.zambiaflora.com/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=116210, retrieved 29 March 2024
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