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Costus villosissimus Jacq.
| Family Name: | Costaceae |
| Synonyms: | Costus friedrichsenii Petersen, Costus hirsutus C.Presl, Costus septimus Roem. & Schult |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
|---|---|
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Northwestern South America, Central America (mostly confined to Panama), Jamaica, St. Vincent |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Highland / Montane |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Large, densely hairy herbaceous plant to 6m tall |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves, leaf sheaths and stems densely brown hairy, rarely with white hairs or glabrous. |
| Flowers | Infloresence hairy, 6-10cm long, bracts green or red, with recurved, foliaceous appendages. Flowers bright sulphur yellow, rarely white. |
| Habitat | In riverbank forests, swamps and at foothills of hill forests. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: Used in folk medicine in the Amazonian region as a treatment for toothaches and headaches |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Riverine, Container Planting |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee)) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water, Moderate Water, Occasional Misting |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Waterlogged Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Pest(s) | Chewing Insects, Sucking Insects |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Division |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth, Thin |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31078 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5467 |
| 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. |
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