About Costus elegans Veitch ex J.Dix
This entry currently lists the scientific name as Costus elegans Veitch ex J.Dix, while the description provided below covers Costus malortieanus. Costus malortieanus, commonly called stepladder plant, spiral ginger, or spiral flag, is a species of perennial herbaceous flowering plant in the family Costaceae. It is native to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras. It is frequently cultivated as an ornamental plant. It has large felty leaves and grows up to 1 meter tall, with a short ligule. Flowers develop at the terminal ends of stalks. Its corollas range from creamy white to yellow, and have red-striped labellum wings. The species has been introduced to the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, and is naturalized on the island of Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A.
