Costus osae is a species of flowering plant in the family Costaceae. One of many rare tropical plants in the Costus family, Costus osae is a species native to Costa Rica described in 1997 by Paul Maas and Hiltje Maas-van de Kamer.[1] It has also been reported from Colombia.[2][3]

Costus osae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Costaceae
Genus: Costus
Species:
C. osae
Binomial name
Costus osae
Maas & H.Maas

This plant has thick stems with large green fuzzy leaves. It grows to an average height of about four feet and produces thick clusters of bright red bracts. It is rare as a garden plant or houseplant in the United States and it is speculated to be hardy in zones 9–10.

Costus osae is named for the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica, where it is found.[4]

References

edit
  1. ^ Paul J. M. Maas & Hiltje Maas van de Kamer (1997). "Two new species of Costus (Costaceae) from Costa Rica". Brittonia. 49 (2): 274–279. doi:10.2307/2807686. JSTOR 2807686. S2CID 557074.
  2. ^ Idárraga-Piedrahita, A., Ortiz, R.D.C., Callejas Posada, R. & Merello, M. (eds.) (2011). Flora de Antioquia: Catálogo de las Plantas Vasculares 2: 1-939. Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín.
  3. ^ "Costus osae Maas & H.Maas". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  4. ^ Skinner, Dave (2023). "Gingersrus Database Taxon ID 3516 Costus osae". gingersrus.com. Le Jardin Ombragé GingersRus.com. Retrieved 4 August 2024.