Crêpe Ginger

Cheilocostus speciosus

Cheilocostus speciosus or crêpe ginger is possibly the best known cultivated species of the genus "Costus". This plant is native to southeast Asia and surrounding regions, from India to China to Queensland, It is especially common on the Greater Sunda Islands in Indonesia. It is also reportedly naturalized in Mauritius, Réunion, Fiji, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Belize, Melanesia, Micronesia, and the West Indies.
Crêpe Ginger (Cheilocostus speciosus) Cheilocostus speciosus,Costa Rica,Crêpe Ginger,Geotagged,Summer

Appearance

"Cheilocostus speciosus" differs from the common ginger by having only one row of spirally arranged leaves.
Spiral ginger Cheilocostus speciosus,Crêpe Ginger,Diamond Botanical Garden,Geotagged,Saint Lucia

Naming

"Cheilocostus speciosus" has a large number of common names in many languages, including isebsab, keu or kemuk or keumul, keukand, Thebu, pakarmula, pushkarmula,Jom Lakhuti kostam, "Kosta" in Kannada, "Kostamu" in Telugu.
Crepe Ginger flower, Costaceae Cheilocostus speciosus,Crêpe Ginger,Geotagged,Indonesia,Summer

Habitat

Habitat: Roadside ditch, low lying areas in the forest. Flowering season starts after rainy season, October to December.
Crepe Ginger flower, Costaceae Cheilocostus speciosus,Crêpe Ginger,Geotagged,Indonesia,Winter

Cultural

The plant has many historical uses in Ayurveda, where the rhizome has been used to treat fever, rash, asthma, bronchitis, and intestinal worms. It is mentioned in the Kama Sutra as an ingredient in a cosmetic to be used on the eyelashes to increase sexual attractiveness.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomPlantae
DivisionAngiosperms
ClassMonocots
OrderZingiberales
FamilyCostaceae
GenusCheilocostus
SpeciesC. speciosus
Photographed in
Costa Rica
Indonesia
Saint Lucia