Volume 9 > Part 2 > Year 2008 > Page 102 > Costaceae > Costus

2. Costus globosus Blumewfo-0000363056

Enum. Pl. Javae 62. 1827; Baker in Hook.f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 6: 250. 1892; Ridl., Fl. Malay. Penin. 4: 256. 1924; Holttum, Gard. Bull. Singapore 13: 240. 1950; Maas, Blumea 25: 546. 1979. Fig. 1.; Plate X: 2.

Accepted Name : Hellenia globosa (Blume) S.R.Dutta
Pleione 4: 152. 2010.

Description : Stem to about 3 m, thickend at base, covered by glabrous or pubescent sheaths, only bearing leaf blades in the apical part, erect when young, later bend over and branching in upper part. Leaf blade to 30 by 10 cm, widest above the middle, unequally cuneate at base, acuminate at apex, glabrous or pubescent beneath. Inflorescence on a separate shoot from the rhizome; peduncle 2–10(–20) cm, covered by pubescent, overlapping sheaths, ± globose, 5–9 cm in diam. Bracts red, 2–3.5 by ca 2.5 cm with rounded apex ending in a yellowish, spine-like tip, 2–3 mm, outer surface ± covered by stiff hairs, each subtending 1 flower. Bracteoles as long as bracts but much narrower, at base embracing the ovary. Flower: calyx tube 3–4 cm including ovary, pubescent as the bracts, lobes red, 6–8 mm, ending in a stout spine. Corolla tube shorter than calyx, lobes ca 3.5 by 2 cm, apiculatate, pubescent outside, pink to deep red. Labellum red or orange to yellow with long hairs along the margin, inside towards the throat whitish or yellowish hairy. Stamen puberulous, same colour as labellum or paler. Ovary appressed pubescent. Capsule enclosed by the bracts.

Thailand : PENINSULAR: Yala (Bang Lang Dam), Satun (Tarutao).

Distribution : Java (type), Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia.

Ecology : In moist evergreen forests often near streams at low altitudes, sometimes epiphytic.

Vernacular : Ueang din (เอื้องดิน).

Notes: For discussion of the variability of this species see under Costus dhaninivatii.