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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
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 & 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, Roadside Tree / Palm, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Hedge / Screening, Flowerbed / Border |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird Attracting, Caterpillar Food 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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Image Repository
Others
| 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. |
