Costus is a genus of herbaceous perennial plants in the family Costaceae, erected by Linnaeus in 1753.[2][3] It is widespread through tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and the Americas.[1][4][5]
Costus is often characterized and distinguished from relatives such as Zingiber (true ginger) by its spiraling stems. The genus as a whole is thus often called spiral gingers, but this can also refer to C. barbatus specifically.[citation needed] It is important not to confuse Costus scaber, C. spectabilis etc. with the herb known by the common name "costus".
Costus spectabilis is the floral emblem of Nigeria; its flowers are represented (erroneously in red instead of yellow color) on its coat of arms.[6]
Some Costus species have traditional medicinal and veterinary uses. For example, in Trinidad and Tobago, a mix of Costus scaber juice and crushed Renealmia alpinia berries is used to treat dogs bitten by snakes.[12]
Costus naturally hybridizes, and commercial hybrids have also been produced.[13]
^"Costus L."Tropicos. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
^"Costus L."Flora of China (eFloras). Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA. 2008. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
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