Costaceae
Costus

Costus afer Ker Gawl.

First published in Bot. Reg. 8: t. 683 (1823)
This species is accepted
The native range of this species is Tropical Africa. It is a rhizomatous geophyte and grows primarily in the seasonally dry tropical biome.

Distribution

Native to:

Angola, Benin, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gulf of Guinea Is., Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan-South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zimbabwe

Synonyms

Heterotypic Synonyms

Classification

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Publications

POWO follows these authorities in accepting this name:

  • Akoègninou, A., van der Burg, W.J. & van der Maesen, L.J.G. (eds.) (2006). Flore Analytique du Bénin: 1-1034. Backhuys Publishers.
  • Brunel, J.F., Hiepo, P. & Scholz, H. (eds.) (1984). Flore Analytique du Togo Phanérogames: 1-751. GTZ, Eschborn.
  • Catarino, L., Martins, E.S., Diniz, M.A. & Pinto-Basto, M.F. (2006). Check-list da flora vascular do parque natural das Lagos de Cufada (Guiné-Bissau). Garcia de Orta, Série de Botânica 17: 97-141.
  • Darbyshire, I., Kordofani, M., Farag, I., Candiga, R. & Pickering, H. (eds.) (2015). The Plants of Sudan and South Sudan: 1-400. Kew publishing, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  • Gosline, G., Bidault, E., van der Burgt, X., Cahen, D., Challen, G., Condé, N., Couch, C., Couvreur, T.L.P., Dagallier, L.M.J., Darbyshire, I., Dawson, S., Doré, T.S., Goyder, D., Grall, A., Haba, P., Haba, P., Harris, D., Hind, D.J.N., Jongkind, & al. (2023). A Taxonomically-verified and Vouchered Checklist of the Vascular Plants of the Republic of Guinea. Nature, scientific data 10, Article number: 327: [1]-[12].
  • Govaerts, R. (1999). World Checklist of Seed Plants 3(1, 2a & 2b): 1-1532. MIM, Deurne.
  • Lejoy, J., Ndjele, M.-B. & Geerinck, D. (2010). Catalogue-flore des plantes vasculaires des districts de Kisangani et de la Tshopo (RD Congo). Taxonomania. Revue de Taxonomie et de Nomenclature Botaniques 30: 1-307.
  • Maas-van de Kamer, H., Maas, P.J.M., Wieringa, J.J. & Specht, C.D. (2016). Monograph of African Costaceae. Blumea 61: 280-318.
  • Sita, P. & Moutsambote, J.-M. (2005). Catalogue des plantes vasculaires du Congo, ed. sept. 2005: 1-158. ORSTOM, Centre de Brazzaville.
  • Sosef, M.S.M. & al. (2006). Check-list des plantes vasculaires du Gabon. Scripta Botanica Belgica 35: 1-438.
  • Thiombiano, A., Schmidt, M., Dressler, S., Ouédraogo, A., Hahn, K. & Zizka, G. (2012). Catalogue des plantes vasculaires du Burkina Faso. Boissiera 65: 1-391.
  • Timberlake, J.R. & Martins, E.S. (eds.) (2010). Flora Zambesiaca 13(4): 1-151. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  • Velayos, M., Aedo, C., Cabezas, F., de la Estrella, M., Barberá, P. & Fero, M. (eds.) (2014). Flora de Guinea Ecuatorial 11: 1-416. Consejo superior de investigaciones científicas, Real jardín botánico, Madrid.

Flora of West Tropical Africa

  • Chev. Bot. 627
  • F.T.A. 7: 299
  • F.W.T.A., ed. 1, 2: 334
  • Hook. in Bot. Mag. t. 4979
  • K. Schum. in Engl., Pflanzenr. 4, 46: 392 (1904)
  • Koechlin in Fl. Cam. 4: 92, t. 20.
  • Koechlin in Fl. Gabon 9: 84, t. 3
  • in Bot. Beg. t. 683 (1823)

Kew Backbone Distributions

  • Akoègninou, A., van der Burg, W.J. & van der Maesen, L.J.G. (eds.) (2006). Flore Analytique du Bénin: 1-1034. Backhuys Publishers.
  • Brunel, J.F., Hiepo, P. & Scholz, H. (eds.) (1984). Flore Analytique du Togo Phanérogames: 1-751. GTZ, Eschborn.
  • Maas-van de Kamer, H., Maas, P.J.M., Wieringa, J.J. & Specht, C.D. (2016). Monograph of African Costaceae. Blumea 61: 280-318.
  • Sita, P. & Moutsambote, J.-M. (2005). Catalogue des plantes vasculaires du Congo, ed. sept. 2005: 1-158. ORSTOM, Centre de Brazzaville.
  • Thiombiano, A., Schmidt, M., Dressler, S., Ouédraogo, A., Hahn, K. & Zizka, G. (2012). Catalogue des plantes vasculaires du Burkina Faso. Boissiera 65: 1-391.
  • Timberlake, J.R. & Martins, E.S. (eds.) (2010). Flora Zambesiaca 13(4): 1-151. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  • Velayos, M., Aedo, C., Cabezas, F., de la Estrella, M., Barberá, P. & Fero, M. (eds.) (2014). Flora de Guinea Ecuatorial 11: 1-416. Consejo superior de investigaciones científicas, Real jardín botánico, Madrid.

Flora of Tropical East Africa

  • F. W. Andr., The Flowering Plants of the Sudan 3: 253 (1956).
  • Hepper in Flora of West Tropical Africa, ed. 2, 3: 78 (1968).
  • J. Koechlin in Fl. Gabon 9: 84 (1964)
  • J. Koechlin, Fl. Cameroun 4: 92 (1965).
  • K. Schum. in A. Engler, Das Pflanzenreich IV. 46: 392 (1904).
  • Ker-Gawl. in Bot. Reg. 8, t. 683 (1823).
  • Lock in Kew Bulletin 39: 842 (1984).

Other Data

Other Kew resources that provide information on this taxon:

Date Reference Identified As Barcode Type Status Has image?
Jan 1, 2016 Whyte, A. [s.n.] Liberia K001790161 Yes
Jan 1, 2016 Whyte, A. [s.n.] Liberia K002189330 Yes
Jan 1, 2014 Schweinfurth, G. [206] Sudan K000099630 Type Yes
Jan 1, 2013 unknown [s.n.] Congo, Republic of the K000099626 Type Yes
Jan 1, 2013 Selwyn [s.n.] Guinea K000099619 Unknown Type Material Yes
Jan 1, 2013 Schweinfurth, G. [204] Central African Republic K000099635 Type Yes
Jan 1, 2013 Schweinfurth, G. [204] Central African Republic K000099629 Lectotype Yes
Jan 1, 2012 Cable, S. [1484] Cameroon K000024810 Yes
Aug 1, 2007 Mackinder, B. [156] Cameroon K000025738 Yes
Baker [188] Ghana K002189354 No
[1290] Uganda K002189697 No
Pawek [4578] Malawi K002189859 No
Jefford, T.G.; Newbould, J. [2640] Tanzania K002189739 No
Dawkins, H.C. [379] Uganda K:SPC-18877.000 No
Killick, H.J. [233] Nigeria K002189364 No
Dowsett-Lemaire, F. [564] Malawi K002189857 No
Müller, T. [1611A] Malawi K002189860 No
Lewalle, J. [3288] Burundi K002189532 Yes
Billong, M.; Bullook, S.H. [363] Cameroon K002189520 Yes
Casas, F. [10115] Equatorial Guinea K002189507 Yes
[8034] Ethiopia K002189675 No
Drummond, R.B.; Hemsley, J.H. [1705] Tanzania K002189728 No
[7336] Senegal K002189318 Yes
Chandler, P. [2776] Uganda K:SPC-18197.000 No
Timberlake, J. [5371] Mozambique K002189848 No
Thomas, A.S. [D124] Ghana K002189349 No
Faden, R.B.; Faden, A.J.; Gillett, J.B.; Gachathi, N. [77/446] Kenya K002189715 No
Troupin, G. [294] Congo, Republic of the K002189530 Yes
Newbould, J.; Jefford, T.G. [2640] Tanzania K002189740 No
[3172] Sierra Leone K002189325 Yes
[1111] Guinea-Bissau K002189313 Yes
Andoh, J.E. [5051] Guinea K002189346 No
Troupin, G. [2512] Congo, Democratic Republic of the K:SPC-18199.000 No
[6727] Sudan K002189667 No
Leeuwenberg, A.J.M. [2963] Cote d'Ivoire K002189332 No
Drummond, R.B.; Hemsley, J.H. [1705] Tanzania K002189731 No
Carmichael [573] Tanzania K002189750 No
Fanshawe, D.B. [F4075] Zambia K002189863 No
Chapman, J.D. [5140] Nigeria K002189361 No
Dalziel, J.M. [s.n.] Nigeria K002189503 Yes
[1960] Ethiopia K002189677 No
[s.n.] Liberia K002189329 Yes
Dalziel, J.A. [s.n.] Nigeria K002189365 No
[7336] Senegal K002189317 Yes
Stolz, A. [1579] Tanzania K002189722 No
Taylor [105/2] Tanzania K002189764 No
s.coll. [s.n.] K002425391 No
[4237] Ethiopia K002189680 No
Drummond, R.B.; Hemsley, J.H. [1705] Tanzania K002189730 No
[22] Ethiopia K002189678 No
[Th124] Uganda K002189708 No
Koritzschoner, H. [1454] Tanzania K002189757 No
Hepper, F.N. [1853] Cameroon K002189514 Yes
Soleman, R. [7494] Tanzania K002189761 No
Billong, M.; Bullock, S.H. [363] Cameroon K002189519 Yes
s.coll. [s.n.] K002425386 No
Wilks, C. [2634] Gabon K002189525 Yes
Bannerman-Bruce [CDA4443] Ghana K002189341 No
Moult, P.H. [22] Ethiopia K:SPC-36243.000 No
Casas, F. [12105] Equatorial Guinea K002189509 Yes
[s.n.] K002189704 No
[53] Uganda K002189710 No
Mwasumbi, L.B.; Munyenyemee, P. [13844] Tanzania K002189744 No
Greenway, P.J. [3343] Tanzania K002189733 No
Vaughan, J.H. [450] Tanzania K002189766 No
s.coll. [s.n.] K002425387 No
Verdcount [96] Tanzania K002189745 No
Müller, T. [1611A] Malawi K002189861 No
[173] Sudan K002189666 No
Rutherford-Smith, R. [125] Zimbabwe K002189866 No
Semsei, S.R. [3170] Tanzania K002189754 No
[3906] Ethiopia K002189672 No
Tanner, R. [2261] Tanzania K002189762 No
Geerling, C.; Bokdan, J. [1861] Cote d'Ivoire K002189339 No
Torre, A.R. [4713] Mozambique K002189849 No
[T639] Uganda K002189701 No
Faulkner, H.G. [1111] Tanzania K002189756 No
[907] Uganda K002189699 No
Magogo, F.; Glover, P. [750] Kenya K002189724 No
Latilo; Fagbemi [FHI64786] Nigeria K002189359 No
[560] Uganda K002189709 No
Simbiano, F.J.; Diabaté, M.; Konaté, L.; Kolié, M. [201] Guinea K001970486 No
[717] South Sudan K002189668 No
Graham, R.M. [1644] Kenya K002189716 No
Haaser, A. [1933] Tanzania K002189760 No
Greenway [1471] Tanzania K002189765 No
Kindeketa, W.; Kayombo, C.; Ntemi, A. [112] Tanzania K002189758 No
Killick, H.J. [228] Nigeria K002189368 Yes
Kayombo, C.J. [754] Tanzania K002189743 No
Pawek, J. [10866] Malawi K002189862 No
Mwangoka, M.A.; Maingo, A. [1351] Tanzania K002189746 No
[8922] Ethiopia K002189676 No
Sharland [317] Nigeria K002189358 No
[s.n.] Guinea K002189311 Yes
[256] Sierra Leone K002189321 Yes
Manning, S.D. [1252] Cameroon K002189515 Yes
Timberlake, J.; Nkuna, L.; Fijamo, V.; Timberlake, T. [6111] Mozambique K001279711 No
Killich, H.S. [217] Nigeria K002189366 No
Forman, L. [644] Borneo K:SPC-39290.000 No
Magogo, F.; Glover, P. [563] Kenya K002189712 No
[2565] Sierra Leone K002189323 Yes
Marta, H. [8883] Ghana K002189343 No
Leeuwenberg, A.J.M. [1776] Cote d'Ivoire K002189338 No
[s.n.] Ethiopia K002189673 No
Lovett, J.; Thomas, D.W. [2839] Tanzania K002189735 No
Geerling, C.; Bokdam, J. [1861] Cote d'Ivoire K002189340 No
Luke, Q.; Kayombo C, P.A.A.; Festo, L. [11513] Tanzania K002189747 No
Luke, Q. [5479] Kenya K002189713 No
[3906] Ethiopia K002189671 No
Dale, I.R. [3576] Kenya K002189718 No
Casas, F. [11443] Equatorial Guinea K002189508 Yes
[s.n.] Sierra Leone K002189326 Yes
[Martian Case] [27-28] K002189847 No
Killick, H.J. [233] Nigeria K002189363 No
Germain, R. [5907] Congo, Democratic Republic of the K002189528 Yes
Drummond, R.B.; Hemsley, J.H. [1705] Tanzania K002189753 No
Hiepko, P.; Schultze-Motel, W. [70a] Togo K002189355 No
Mann, G. [s.n.] Cameroon K002189516 Yes
[160] Guinea K002189312 Yes
Biegel, H.M.; Müller, T. [3595] Zimbabwe K002189865 No
Torre, A.R.; Correia, M.F. [14505] Mozambique K002189850 No
Hall, J.B. [2441] Ghana K002189342 No
[2565] Sierra Leone K002189324 Yes
s.coll. [s.n.] K002425389 No
Webb, J. [327] Cameroon K002189518 Yes
Drummond, R.B.; Hemsley, J.H. [1200] Kenya K002189711 No
Sierra Leone K:SPC-66283.000 No
Barbosa, L.A.G.; Carvalho, M.; [G. B] [2860] Mozambique K002189867 No
Rattray, R.S. [2] Ghana K002189352 No
Jefford, T.G.; Newbould, J. [2640] Tanzania K002189741 No
[4570] Sierra Leone K002189319 Yes
[Dogel] [80] Niger K002189357 No
Lewalle, J. [3288] Burundi K002189533 Yes
Gillett, J.B. [15258] Nigeria K:SPC-25906.000 No
Le Cestu, G.L. [1191] Gabon K002189522 Yes
Gardner, H.M. [1415] Kenya K002189719 No
Daramola, B.O. [s.n.] Cameroon K002189513 Yes
[s.n.] Sierra Leone K002189320 Yes
[1731] Ethiopia K002189674 No
Jeffrey, C. [85] Gabon K002189523 Yes
Kayombo, C.J. [755] Tanzania K002189727 No
Adlard, P.G. [333] Malawi K002189855 No
Borhidi, A.; Iversen, S.T.; Temu, R.P.C. [86180] Tanzania K002189729 No
s.coll. [s.n.] Ghana K002189353 No
s.coll. [s.n.] K002425388 No
Massunde, J.; Darbyshire, I.; Banze, A.; Comeni, T. [JM176] Mozambique K000662662 No
Mwangulango, N. [36] Tanzania K002189734 No
Jeffrey, C. [85] Gabon K:SPC-17096.000 No
[80] Sierra Leone K002189327 Yes
Wilks, C. [2634] Gabon K002189524 Yes
Dalziel, J.M. [831] Nigeria K:SPC-22183.000 No
Carmichael [1022] Tanzania K002189726 No
Toms, K.E. [22] Tanzania K002189742 No
Migeod, F.W.H. [105] Cameroon K002189521 Yes
Marta, J.K. [GC8698] Ghana K002189344 No
Torre, A.R.; Correia, M.F. [15827] Mozambique K002189853 No
Ford, J. [397] Tanzania K002189738 No
[R. Auduh] [5051] Ghana K002189347 No
[907] Uganda K002189700 No
Torre, A.R.; Correia, M.F. [16226] Mozambique K002189854 No
Polhill, R.M.; Lovett, J.C.; Lovett, J.M. [4897] Tanzania K002189732 No
Drummond, R.B.; Hemsley, J.H. [1200] Kenya K002189725 No
Adams, C.D. [3168] Ghana K002189350 No
Gardner, H.M. [1415] Kenya K002189720 No
Clarke, G.P. [3460] Tanzania K002189748 No
Brunt, M. [153] Cameroon K002189512 Yes
Haaser, A. [1933] Tanzania K002189759 No
[B. Barter] [417] Nigeria K002189356 No
Wrigley, T.C.; Melville, F.A. [505] Equatorial Guinea K002189510 Yes
Fay, J.M. [4285] Ghana K002189526 Yes
[s.n.] K002189702 No
Hepper, F.N.; Maley, J. [7895] Cote d'Ivoire K002189336 No
Killick, H.J. [217] Nigeria K002189367 No
Carmichael [1022] Tanzania K002189763 No
Stolz, A. [1579] K002189723 No
Ruffo, C.K. [347] Tanzania K002189751 No
Hepper, F.N.; Maley, J. [7770] Cote d'Ivoire K002189334 No
Dalziel, J.M. [vii] Nigeria K002189504 Yes
Newbould, J. [4368] Tanzania K002189736 No
[A1596] Sudan K002189669 No
Schlieben, H.J. [12205] Tanzania K002189755 No
[230] Uganda K002189705 No
Latilo, M.G.; Daramola, B.O. [FHI 34440] Cameroon K002189511 Yes
Johnson, W.A. [441] Ghana K002189348 No
de Wit [s.n.] Cote d'Ivoire K002425390 No
[7336] Senegal K002189316 Yes
Hepper, F.N.; J.M. [7895] Cote d'Ivoire K002189335 No
Stolz, A.; [K. J. Ohiou] [1579] Kenya K002189717 No
Sanford, W. [6041] Equatorial Guinea K002189505 Yes
Wild, H.; Goldsmith, B.; Muller, T. [6625] Zimbabwe K002189864 No
Chevalier, A.J.B. [15213] Cote d'Ivoire K002189333 No
[1960] Ethiopia K002189670 No
Pawek, J. [1678] Malawi K002189858 No
Cheek, M.; Banze, A.; Fijamo, V.; Massunde, J.; Nkuna, L. [17942] Mozambique K001417083 No
[D384] Uganda K002189707 No
Hall; Enti [GC39436] Ghana K002189345 No
[K127] Uganda K002189706 No
Stolz, A. [1579] K002189721 No
Goyder, D.J.; Crawford, F.; Darbyshire, I.; Gomes, A.L. [6267] Angola K000191762 No
Daramola, B.O. [FHI 35537] Cameroon K002189517 Yes
Robertson, S.A. [330] Tanzania K002189752 No
Balsinhas, A. [1818] Mozambique K002189852 No
Brenan, J.P.M.; Gillett, J.B.; Kanuri; Chomba, W.; Brenan, J.H. [14589] Kenya K002189714 No
Johnson, W.P. [s.n.] Angola K002189868 No
[21467] Sweden K002189328 Yes
[s.n.] Uganda K002189703 No
Hepper, F.N.; J.M. [7895] Cote d'Ivoire K002189337 No
[84] Sierra Leone K000041798 Yes
Troupin, G. [294] Congo, Democratic Republic of the K002189531 Yes
Pirozynski, K.A. [P355] Tanzania K002189737 No
Scott Elliot, G.F. [7330] Congo, Republic of the K002189529 Yes
Morton, J.K. [A737] Ghana K002189351 No
[20344] Sweden K002189331 Yes
[3886] Sierra Leone K002189322 Yes
Sanford, W. [5784] Equatorial Guinea K002189506 Yes
[708] Uganda K:SPC-11105.000 No
Keay, R.W.J. [FHI21106] Nigeria K002189360 No
Torre, A.R. [5193] Mozambique K002189851 No
Fay, J.M. [4558] Central African Republic K002189527 Yes
Chapman, J.D. [1656] Malawi K002189856 No
[822] Uganda K002189698 No
[9745] Ethiopia K002189679 No
Drummond, R.B.; Hemsley, J.H. [1705] Tanzania Costus sarmentosus K:SPC-17365.000 No
Faulkner, H. [1111] Tanzania Costus sarmentosus K:SPC-18196.000 No
Drummond, R.B.; Hemsley, J.H. [1200] Kenya Costus sarmentosus K:SPC-17362.000 No
Cribb; Grey-Wilson; Mwasumbi [11062] Tanzania Costus subbiflorus K:SPC-45276.000 No

Sources

  • Angiosperm Extinction Risk Predictions v1

    • Angiosperm Threat Predictions
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

  • Flora of Tropical East Africa

    • Flora of Tropical East Africa
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Flora of West Tropical Africa

    • Flora of West Tropical Africa
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Herbarium Catalogue Specimens

    • 'The Herbarium Catalogue, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet http://www.kew.org/herbcat [accessed on Day Month Year]'. Please enter the date on which you consulted the system.
    • Digital Image © Board of Trustees, RBG Kew http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

  • Kew Backbone Distributions

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2025. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

  • Kew Names and Taxonomic Backbone

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2025. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

  • Kew Science Photographs

    • Copyright applied to individual images