Costus macranthus K. Schum.
Selected images: Click on each image to see a larger version and details of the record View all images (14)
Photo: Penny English
Along road between Bolero and Thazima, Rumphi District.
Photo: Penny English
Along road between Bolero and Thazima, Rumphi District.
Photo: Penny English
Along road between Bolero and Thazima, Rumphi District.
Photo: Penny English
Along road between Bolero and Thazima, Rumphi District.
Photo: Penny English
Along road between Bolero and Thazima, Rumphi District.
Photo: Penny English
Along road between Bolero and Thazima, Rumphi District.
Photo: Penny English
Along road between Bolero and Thazima, Rumphi District.
Photo: Penny English
Along road between Bolero and Thazima, Rumphi District.
Photo: Penny English
"shortcut " from Rumphi to Thazima, Rumphi District
Open escarpment woodland
Chanama area, Mafinga Distr.
Jan 2022
Photo: Nick Wightman
Open escarpment woodland
Chanama area, Mafinga Distr.
Jan 2022
Photo: Nick Wightman
Open escarpment woodland
Chanama area, Mafinga Distr.
Jan 2022
Photo: Nick Wightman
Open escarpment woodland
Chanama area, Mafinga Distr.
Jan 2022
Photo: Nick Wightman
Open escarpment woodland
Chanama area, Mafinga Distr.
Jan 2022
Photo: Nick Wightman
Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)
Synonyms:
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Common names:
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Frequency:
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Status:
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Native |
Description:
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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. |
Type location:
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Tanzania |
Notes:
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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:
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macranthus: large-flowered |
Habitat:
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In miombo woodland, open bushland or grassland, sometimes among rocks or in sandy soils. |
Altitude range: (metres) |
Up to 1640 m |
Flowering time: | |
Worldwide distribution:
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Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. |
National distribution:
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N,E |
Growth form(s):
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Endemic status:
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Red data list status:
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Insects associated with this species:
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Spot characters:
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Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: |
Friday 18 December 2020 |
Literature:
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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.
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Other sources of information about Costus macranthus:
Our websites:
Flora of Burundi:
Costus macranthusFlora of Malawi:
Costus macranthusFlora of Mozambique:
Costus macranthusFlora of Zambia:
Costus macranthusExternal websites:
African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg):
Costus macranthusAfrican Plant Database:
Costus macranthusBHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library):
Costus macranthusEOL (Encyclopedia of Life):
Costus macranthusGBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility):
Costus macranthusGoogle:
Web -
Images -
ScholariNaturalist:
Costus macranthusIPNI (International Plant Names Index):
Costus macranthusJSTOR Plant Science:
Costus macranthusMansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops:
Costus macranthusPlants of the World Online:
Costus macranthusTropicos:
Costus macranthusWikipedia:
Costus macranthus
Copyright:
Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Meg Coates Palgrave, 2002-25
Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgrave, M.
(2025).
Flora of Zimbabwe: Species information: Costus macranthus. https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=116200, retrieved 15 February 2025
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