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Costus malortieanus H. Wendl.
| Family Name: | Costaceae |
| Synonyms: | Costus elegans Petersen |
| Common Name: | Spiral Ginger, Stepladder Plant, Spiral Flag |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
|---|---|
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Nicaragua and Costa Rica |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herbaceous plant to 1m tall |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves obovate to elliptic, to 18cm wide. Upper surface of leaf with a dense layer of soft hairs, light green, with dark green bands running from the apex to base of the leaf. |
| Flowers | Inflorescence to 9cm long, bracts green. Corolla yellow to yellowish white; lip yellow, lateral lobes heavily marked with reddish brown to brown stripes. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Container Planting |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee)) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Occasional Misting, Lots of Water, Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Disease / Pest Resistant |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Division |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Velvety / Furry / Tomentose |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden, Orange, Brown |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 571 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1867 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
