Costus pulverulentus Presl, Costaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Other Latin names:  Costus sanguineus Donn. Sm.

Common name(s): [more details]

Spanish: caña agria, chile de perro, pito de perro

Habit:  herb

Description:  "Leafy shoots 2-7 (-12) feet tall.  Leaf blades narrowly elliptic-obovate, 4-12 inches x 2-4.5 inches, underside sometimes faint purplish, margins ciliate, apex tapering.  Inflorescence terminal on leafy stem, spindle-shaped, 1.75-3.5 inches x 0.5-1.75 inches, lengthening in fruit; bracts pale to bronzy green, exposed margin shredding, fibrous.  Flowers reddish; calyx ca 0.4 inch long; labellum oblong-obovate, inrolled, 1.1-1.5 inches long, 3-lobed; fertile stamens 1.4-2 inches long, red.  Fruit obovoid, ca 0.66 inch long, white.  Seeds black, aril white." Can be distinguished from Costus spiralis by its stamen, which is conspicuously longer than the labellum, and by its bronzy greenish, spindle-shaped (not cylindrical) flower head  (Staples & Herbst, 2005; p. 652).

"It grows only 3-4 ft. (0.9-1.2 m) tall, with spiral leaves, and terminal inflorescences with light greenish bracts and rose-pink flowers" (Daehler & Baker, 2006; p. 6).

Habitat/ecology:  In Hawai‘i (O‘ahu), "naturalized in many parts of Lyon Arboretum" (Daehler & Baker, 2006; p. 6-7). "Prefers moist, protected areas in light to miderate shade" (Staples & Herbst, 2005; p. 652).

Propagation:  Bird-spread seed; also reproduces vegetatively (Staples et al, 2000; p. 20; Staples & Herbst, 2005; p. 652).

Native range:  Mexico, Central and northern and western South America (GRIN).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
American Samoa Tutuila Islands	Tutuila Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1999) (voucher ID: PTBG 293) Taxon name on voucher: Costus pulverulentus
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Daehler, Curtis C./Baker, Raymond F. (2006) (p. 7) Voucher cited: C. Haehler 1308 (BISH)

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Costa Rica (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Guatemala (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Honduras (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Nicaragua (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Panama (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Mexico Mexico	Mexico (United Mexican States)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013) Chiapas, Oaxaca, Tabasco, Veracruz
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Colombia	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Ecuador (Republic of) (continental)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Perú (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Control:  If you know of control methods for Costus pulverulentus, please let us know.