Costus spectabilis (Fenzl) K. Schum.

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Photo: Stefaan Dondeyne
Kasungu National Park, Malawi

Photo: Stefaan Dondeyne
At boundary Mpunga-Chinda-Zinguena Communities, Moribane

Photo: Nicholas Wightman
Cultivated at Dabuyu Farms, Plot 67, Farm 401a Lilayi, Lusaka from material collected at Chisomo Farms in Central Province Zambia

Photo: Nicholas Wightman
Dabuyu Farms, Lilayi, Lusaka District, Lusaka

Photo: Nicholas Wightman
Dabuyu Farms, Lilayi, Lusaka Distr., Lusaka Province

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Synonyms:
Common names:
Frequency:
Status:	Native
Description:	Low perennial herb. Leaves 4, somewhat fleshy, flat against the ground in a basal rosette, broadly obovate-spathulate, up to c. 12 × 12 cm, hairless above, pubescent below, particularly on the midrib; margin entire, often edged purple-pink. Inflorescence terminal, arising from the centre of the rosette. Flowers showy, yellow, opening one at the time.
Notes:
Derivation of specific name:	spectabilis: noteworthy, spectacular
Habitat:	In wooded grassland and deciduous woodland, often near termite mounds or among rocks
Altitude range:
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Widespread from Sierra Leone to Sudan and South to Angola and Zimbabwe
Mozambique distribution:	N,MS
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Content last updated:	Tuesday 16 June 2009
Literature:	Baumann, G. (2005). Photographic Guide to Wildflowers of Malawi Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi Pages 238 - 239. (Includes a picture). Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 122. Lock, J.M. & Diniz, M.A. (2010). Costaceae Flora Zambesiaca 13(4) Pages 115 - 117. (Includes a picture). Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 112. Moriarty, A. (1975). Wild Flowers of Malawi Purnell & sons Cape Town. Pages 35 - 36. (Includes a picture). Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 108.

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Flora of Caprivi: cultivated Costus spectabilis
Flora of Malawi: Costus spectabilis
Flora of Zambia: Costus spectabilis
Flora of Zimbabwe: Costus spectabilis

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Costus spectabilis
African Plant Database: Costus spectabilis
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Costus spectabilis
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Costus spectabilis
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Costus spectabilis
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Costus spectabilis
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Costus spectabilis
JSTOR Plant Science: Costus spectabilis
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Costus spectabilis
Plants of the World Online: Costus spectabilis
Tropicos: Costus spectabilis
Wikipedia: Costus spectabilis