About Costus scaber Ruiz & Pav.
Costus scaber Ruiz & Pav. is a plant species that belongs to the family Costaceae. Its native distribution extends from Mexico through Tropical America. Within Costa Rica, this species is cultivated in homegardens and used to treat a variety of medical conditions. In Trinidad, it is used as an ingredient in remedies for snakebite in dogs. This species has been intentionally introduced to Hawaii, the Leeward Islands, and Puerto Rico. Its status as either native or alien to Saint Lucia has not been definitively resolved. Costus scaber strongly resembles other species in the genus Costus in appearance, most notably Costus spicatus and Costus spiralis.
