Chamaecostus cuspidatus

Chamaecostus cuspidatus, common name fiery costus or spiral flag, is a species of herbaceous plant in the family Costaceae native to eastern Brazil (States of Bahia and Espirito Santo).[1][2][3] In India, it is known as insulin plant for its purported anti-diabetic properties.[4]

Chamaecostus cuspidatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Costaceae
Genus: Chamaecostus
Species:
C. cuspidatus
Binomial name
Chamaecostus cuspidatus
(Nees & Mart.) C.Specht & D.W.Stev.
Synonyms[1]
  • Costus cuspidatus (Nees & Mart.) Maas
  • Costus igneus N.E.Br.
  • Globba cuspidata Nees & Mart.

Chamaecostus cuspidatus has large fleshy looking leaves. The undersides of these large, smooth, dark green leaves have light purple shade. The leaves are spirally arranged around the stem, forming attractive, arching clumps arising from underground rootstocks. The maximum height of these plants is about two feet. The flowers are orange in color and are 1.5 in (3.8 cm) in diameter. Flowering occurs during the warm months. And they appear to be cone-like heads at the tips of branches.[5]

Cultivation

In Siddha medicine, it is known as kostum. It is being cultivated in Kashmir and the Himalayan regions for its root. It is related to the gingers and was originally part of the family Zingiberaceae. But now the Costus species and their kin have been reclassified into their own family, Costaceae.[2] The species reproduces vegetative by rhizome and birds disperse seeds when they feed on the fruits. Costus products are sometimes called Costus comosus and are edible in nature. The flower petals are quite sweet and nutritious. It's a lower grower and makes a great ground cover. The long red flower spikes of Costus pulverulentus are unique to the family and they are sure to create interest in the garden. The plant grows very quickly. And the propagation is by stem cutting. It needs sunshine but it also grows in slightly shady areas. It is cultivated in India for its use in traditional medicine and elsewhere as an ornamental.

Traditional medicine

The dried leaves are used in Ayurvedic medicine.[4]

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References
  1. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. Specht, C. D. & D. W. Stevenson (2006). "A new phylogeny-based generic classification of Costaceae (Zingiberales)" (PDF). Taxon. 55 (1): 153–163. doi:10.2307/25065537. JSTOR 25065537.
  3. Tropicos, specimens of Chamaecostus cuspidatus (Nees & Mart.) C.D. Specht & D.W. Stev.
  4. Shetty, Akhila (October 2010). "Effect of the insulin plant (Costus igneus) leaves on dexamethasone-induced hyperglycemia". International Journal of Ayurveda Research. 1 (2): 100–2. doi:10.4103/0974-7788.64396. PMC 2924971. PMID 20814523.
  5. Forzza, R. C. (2010). "Lista de espécies Flora do Brasil". Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro. Archived from the original on 2015-09-06.
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