No images found for this plant ID: 12077.
Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "12077" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.
spiral flag
Scientific Name: Costus villosissimus
Family: Costaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Chamaecostus cuspidatus and Other "Spiral Flags"
This page explores several plants known as "Spiral Flags," belonging primarily to the Costus and Chamaecostus genera. The name reflects their distinctive spiraling foliage around the stems.
Considerations for Pets
- Some species, like Costus, have bamboolike stems.
Considerations for Children
- Some species, like Costus, have bamboolike stems.
Scientific Names and Common Names
- Chamaecostus cuspidatus: Fiery Costus, Spiral Flag
- Costus igneus: Spiral Flag, Insulin Plant (Note: The text mentions "Insulin Plant" alongside Costus igneus.)
- Costus pictus: Spiral Flag
- Costus woodsonii: Indian Head Ginger, Indianhead Ginger, Red Cane, Scarlet Spiral Flag
- Costus lucanusianus: African Spiral Flag
- Costus magalobractea: (Referred to as "spiral flag ginger")
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Family: Costaceae (Costus or Spiral Flag family)
- Author (for Chamaecostus cuspidatus): (K. Schum.) Nak.
- Rank: Angiosperm, Monocot
- Habit: Herbs without essential oils, succulent to non-succulent
- Synonyms/Alternative Scientific Names: The text also mentions Costus villosissimus Jacq., but it's unclear if this is a direct synonym or a related species.
Distribution and Habitat
- Chamaecostus cuspidatus is native to eastern Brazil.
- Costus igneus is a newly introduced plant in India from South America.
- Costus woodsonii is native to Central and South America and is cultivated and locally naturalized in Hawaii.
- Costus lucanusianus is from Africa.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Chamaecostus cuspidatus has large, smooth, dark green leaves with light purple undersides that are spirally arranged around the stems.
- Costus species have foliage arranged in ascending spirals around bamboolike stems.
- Costus woodsonii produces 1.5-inch diameter, orange flowers in the warm months, appearing on cone-like heads at the tips of branches.
Quirky Facts
- One species of spiral flag is referred to as "Insulin Plant."
- The ornamental plant trade knows Scarlet Spiral Flag as "French Kiss".
Further Information
- RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) provides help and information on Costus spiral flag.
- Plants of Hawaii by Forest and Kim Starr offer images and information for Costus woodsonii (Scarlet spiral flag).
- Western Australian Threatened Species and Communities Unit (WATSCU) , Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia, 2004.