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Costus are easily distinguished from other commonly cultivated gingers because the leaves spiral around the main stem like a circular stairway. In fact they are called "spiral gingers". Sometimes Costus are still listed with other gingers in family Zingiberaceae, but generally they are accepted classified in a separate plant family, Costaceae, along with Dimerocostus, Monocostus and Tapeinochilos. Costus spicatus will grow in the sun if kept moist. Grows to about 6 to 7 feet tall. Leaves are about a foot long and about 4 inches wide. Plant produces a short cylindrical red cone with red-orange flowers emerging one at a time, long lasting and used as a cut flower. These plants often have close interactions with ants. The plant makes a sugary nectar which is attractive to many different kinds of ants. Ants protect the developing seeds which are under the bracts from insect enemies. Some plants have very specialized ants: they form an alliance only with one ant species, that not only get food from the plant but also get a place to nest.

Similar plants:

• Costus afer (?) (Spiral Ginger)
• Costus arabicus variegata, Costus amazonicus variegata (Variegated Spiral Ginger)
• Costus erythrophyllus (Ox Blood Costus, Red Wine Costus)
• Costus fissiligulatus (African Princess, Spiral Ginger, Cameroon Costus)
• Costus lucanusianus (African Spiral Flag)
• Costus malortieanus (Stepladder Ginger)
• Costus productus (Costus)
• Costus sp. (Spiral Ginger)
• Costus speciosus, Cheilocostus speciosus (Spiral Ginger, Crepe Ginger)
• Costus stenophyllus (Bamboo Costus)