Costus macranthus K. Schum.

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Photo: Nicholas Wightman
Chanama area, Mafinga Distr., Muchinga Province

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Synonyms:
Common names:
Frequency:
Status:	Native
Description:	Low perennial herb. Leaves 3-4, somewhat fleshy, flat against the ground in a basal rosette, broadly obovate to almost round, up to c. 7 - 22 cm long, sometimes longer and up to 22 cm wide, hairless above, pubescent below, particularly on the midrib; margin entire, often edged purple-pink. Inflorescence terminal, arising from the centre of the rosette. Flowers showy, yellow, opening one at the time; tube 7-9 cm long; petals narrowly elliptic, 6-8 cm long; labellum 8-11 cm long; anthers 9-13 cm long.
Notes:	This species is very similar to Costus spectabilis and can only reliably be distinguished by measuring the flowers. these are more than 12 cm in total length in this species and less than 10 cm in C. spectabilis.
Derivation of specific name:	macranthus: large-flowered
Habitat:	In miombo woodland, open bushland or grassland, sometimes among rocks or in sandy soils.
Altitude range:	Up to 1640 m
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Mozambique distribution:	N,Z,MS
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Content last updated:	Friday 18 December 2020
Literature:	Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 122. Lock, J.M. & Diniz, M.A. (2010). Costaceae Flora Zambesiaca 13(4) Page 117. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 112. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 108.

Other sources of information about Costus macranthus:

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Flora of Burundi: Costus macranthus
Flora of Malawi: Costus macranthus
Flora of Zambia: Costus macranthus
Flora of Zimbabwe: Costus macranthus

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Costus macranthus
African Plant Database: Costus macranthus
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Costus macranthus
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Costus macranthus
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Costus macranthus
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Costus macranthus
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Costus macranthus
JSTOR Plant Science: Costus macranthus
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Costus macranthus
Plants of the World Online: Costus macranthus
Tropicos: Costus macranthus
Wikipedia: Costus macranthus