Costus spicatus, also known as spiked spiralflag ginger or Indian head ginger, is a species of herbaceous plant in the Costaceae family (also sometimes placed in Zingiberaceae).[1]
Distribution
Costus spicatus is native to some islands of the Caribbean (including Dominica, Guadeloupe, Hispaniola, Martinique, and Puerto Rico).[1][2][3] There has been some confusion about the native range of Costus spicatus.[4]Kew Botanical Gardens lists it as native to Mexico.[3] It has been described as exotic[5] or native[3] to Cuba. Costus spicatus is possibly invasive in lower montane rainforests on Saint Lucia, where botanist Roger Graveson considers it to be an escaped exotic.[6][7]
Description
Costus spicatus leaves grow to a length of approximately 1 ft (30 cm) and a width of approximately 4 in (10 cm). It produces a short red cone, from which red-orange flowers emerge one at a time.[8] In botanical literature, Costus woodsonii has often been misidentified as Costus spicatus.[9]Costus spicatus is also similar in appearance to Costus scaber and Costus spiralis.[10][11][12]
Cultivation
Costus spicatus will grow in full sun if it is kept moist. It reaches a maximum height of about 6 to 7 feet (1.8 to 2.1 m).[8]
Ecology
Costus spicatus can develop a symbiotic partnership with certain species of ants (often only a single species of ant will be compatible). The ants are provided with a food source (nectar in C. spicatus flowers) as well as a place to construct a nest. In turn, the ants protect developing seeds from herbivorous insects.[8]
Use
Costus spicatus has several traditional uses. According to the Lacandon Maya, Costus spicatus increases soil fertility, is edible, and is a medicine.[13] Other groups also use it in traditional medicine. The Totonac people use Costus spicatus to treat kidney problems and hepatitis.[14] In Trinidad, it has been used to treat sexually transmitted infections.[15]
In Dominican folk medicine, an herbal tea made from the leaves of C. spicatus is used for diabetes (hyperglycemia). However, a 2009 study concluded that C. spicatus tea "...had no efficacy in the treatment of obesity-induced hyperglycemia."[16]
