Costus spectabilis

Family: Costaceae

What it is like

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It has a ring of 4 almost round fleshy leaves. The flowers are orange.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in savannah woodland.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, West Africa

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Doukhou samata, Jofatikofo

Synonyms

Cadalvena dalzielii C. H. Wright; Cadalvena pistiifolia (K. Schum.) Baker; Cadalvena spectabilis Fenzl.; Costus pistiifolius K. Schum.; Kaempferia spectabilis (Fenz) Baker; Kaempferia spectabilis Bentham & H.;