Costus afer

Costus afer
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Costaceae
Genus: Costus
Species:
C. afer
Binomial name
Costus afer
Ker Gawl.

Costus afer, English ginger lily or common ginger lily, is a species of plant native to Tropical Africa.[1][2]

Costus afer is widely cultivated.[3] It has many traditional uses, including but not limited to treating a range of medical ailments.[2][4] Costus afer is high in diosgenin.

Costus afer has a wide native distribution spanning North East Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa, and Southern Tropical Africa.[5]

Costus afer is sometimes confused with other African species of Costus, such as Costus dubius and Costus lucanusianus.[5][3] It is also similar looking to Costus louisii.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Costus afer Ker Gawl". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanical Gardens Kew. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Costus afer Ker–Gawl. [family COSTACEAE]". JSTOR Global Plants. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Costus afer Ker Gawl". GingersRus. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  4. ^ Schmelzer, Gaby; Gurib-Fakim, Ameenah; Arroo, Randolph; Bosch, C.H.; de Ruijter, A.; Simmonds, Monique; Lemmens, R.H.M.J.; Oyen, L.P.A. (2008). Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 11(1) : Medicinal plants 1 (PDF). pp. 191–194. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  5. ^ a b Maas-van de Kamer, H.; Maas, P.J.M.; Wieringa, J.J.; Specht, C.D. (2016). "Monograph of African Costaceae". Blumea - Biodiversity, Evolution and Biogeography of Plants. 61 (3): 280–318. doi:10.3767/000651916X694445.