Costus woodsonii Maas

  • Authority

    Maas, Paulus J. M. 1972. Costoideae (Zingiberaceae). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 8: 1-140. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Costaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Costus woodsonii Maas

  • Type

    Type, von Wedel 2080 (holotype, MO; isotypes, GH, US), Old Bank Island near Chiriqui Lagoon, Panama.

  • Synonyms

    Costus spiralis (Jacq.) Roscoe

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Herba 1-2 m alta, ubique glabra. Vaginae 7-12 mm in diametro. Ligula truncata, 2-6 mm longa, in sicco castanea (7.5 R 3/6). Petiolus 2-10 mfti longus, in sicco castaneus. Folia (anguste) elliptica ad (anguste) obovata, basi cordata, apice 10-20 mm longe acuminata, 8-15(-21) cm longa, 4-8 cm lata. Inflorescentia globosa, ovoidea vel cylindrica, 3-11 cm longa, 2-3.5 cm lata. Bracteae rubrae (?), coriaceae, late ovatae, obtusae, 2-3 cm longae et latae, callo 4-5 mm longo. Bracteola rubra, 13-20 mm longa. Calyx 6-9 mm longus, lobis depresse triangularibus, 1-2 mm longis. Corolla rubra vel lutea, 30-35 mm longa, tubo 10-15 mm longo, lobis obovatis, 20 mm longis, 7-10 mm latis. Labellum luteum, expansum obovata-oblongum, 20 mm longum, 8 mm latum, lobis lateralibus involutis et tubum efFor-mantibus. Stamen anguste ellipticum, 23 mm longum, 10 mm latum, apice obtuso, anthera 4-6 mm longa. Ovarium 3-4 mm longum. Capsula ellipsoidea, 8 mm longa, seminibus nigris.

  • Discussion

    This species may be recognized by its usually small, obovate to elliptic, glabrous leaves with a cordate base.

  • Distribution

    (Fig 48, 2). In lowland thickets of Panamá, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua.

    Nicaragua Central America| Costa Rica South America| Panama Central America| Bocas del Toro Panamá Central America| Canal Zone Panamá Central America| Colón Panama Central America|