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
"shortcut " from Rumphi to Thazima, Rumphi District

Open escarpment woodland
Chanama area, Mafinga Distr.
Jan 2022
Photo: Nick Wightman

Detailed records: Display species records QDS maps by: Google Maps Point records by Google Maps

Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms:
Common names:
Frequency:
Status:
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.
Type location:	Tanzania
Notes:
Derivation of specific name:	macranthus: large-flowered
Habitat:
Altitude range: (metres)
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
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. Ntore, S. & al. (2024). Checklist of the vascular plants of Burundi Page 89. 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:

Our websites:

Flora of Malawi: Costus macranthus
Flora of Mozambique: 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