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Cheilocostus speciosus

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Cheilocostus speciosus (J. Koenig) C. Specht

Family Name: Costaceae
Synonyms: Costus speciosus (Koenig) Smith
Common Name: Crepe Ginger, Setawar Tawar, Spiral Flag, Cane Reed, Malay Ginger, Wild Ginger, Spiral Ginger, White Costus, 闭鞘姜

Cheilocostus speciosus or Crepe Ginger is a native rhizomatous herb that can grow to 3 m in height. Leaves are oblong to lance-shaped, arranged spirally along the reddish slender stems. The flowering spike is dark red, round, each flower is white, funnel-like with a yellow centre emerge from between the bracts. The long slender stems produced make Crepe Ginger a suitable screening and border plant. Along with its biodiversity-attracting flowers, this plant can be found easily in parks and gardens.

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Herbaceous Plant
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Maximum Height 3 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Tropical & Subtropical Asia to NE. Queensland
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Disturbed Area / Open Ground)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form It is a large perennial herb, with stems up to 3 m tall.
Foliage Its leaves are lance to oblong in shape, velvety about 15 to 20 cm long. The shortly-stalked foliage are arranged spirally along the long slender stems. The stems are reddish, slightly woody at the base.
Flowers Its flowering spike is dark red, ovoid-oblong in shape between 12–15 cm in height. Flower emerged in between the bracts, they are white, funnel-like with a yellow centre, measuring 6–8 cm wide.
Fruit Its fruit are produced in a red woody capsule, 1. 5 cm wide. Each contain numerous black glossy seeds which splits upon maturity.
Others - Plant Morphology It has stout rhizomes that creeps horizontally.
Habitat It grows in damp open places, and is commonly found in lowland forest margins.
Associated Fauna Its flowers are visited by bees, butterflies, and sunbirds.
Cultivation It thrives in partial shade, grown in moist, fertile soils. The species can be propagated by seeds or stem cuttings.
Ethnobotanical Uses Edible Plant Parts : Edible Storage Organs
Food (Fruit or Vegetable): Parts of the plant are consumed in rural communities of South East Asia and India. In Sarawak, young tender shoots are stir-fried with anchovies and fermented shrimp paste known as Belachan. Flowers are edible, often used in salads or added as garnish, rhizomes are cooked in curries or used to make syrups. One report states that the rhizomes are bitter and astringent.

Landscaping Features

Landscaping It is suitable as an ornamental plant for borders or as a low screen.
Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses General, Suitable for Roadsides, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Hedge / Screening, Flowerbed / Border

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna Bird-Attracting, Butterfly Host Plant
Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee), Vertebrates (Bird))
Seed or Spore Dispersal Biotic (Fauna)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Semi-Shade, Full Sun
Water Preference Lots of Water, Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Fast
Rootzone Tolerance Moist Soils, Waterlogged Soils (Drains Site), Fertile Loamy Soils, Easy to Grow
Propagation Method Seed, Stem Cutting, Division, Aerial Plantlet

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Velvety / Furry / Tomentose
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Spiral
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate, Oblong)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip Acute
Foliar Base Cuneate, Rounded / Obtuse

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification Pseudostem
Root Type Underground (Fibrous Root)
Specialised Storage Organ(s) Underground (Rhizome)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers , Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) White, Red, Yellow / Golden
Flower Texture(s) Smooth, Thin
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Terminal
Individual Flower Shape Funnelform / Funnel-shaped
Inflorescence Type Spike
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Brown, Red
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule

References

References

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (continuously updated). Plants of the World Online | Kew Science. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77074291-1. Accessed 04 January 2022.

Singh, N (2011). Wild Edible Plant: A Potential source of nutraceutials. International Journal of Pharma Sciences and Research (IJPSR), vol. 2(12), pp. 216-225.

Wu, Z.Y. & Raven, P.H. (2000). Costaceae. Flora of China (Flagellariaceae through Marantaceae), Vol. 24, pp. 320 - 321. Science Press, Beijing, and Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis.


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Master ID 574
Species ID 1869
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 10 August 2022.
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