spiral-ginger

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• spiral-ginger

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Costus bingervillensis
• Costus deistelii
• Costus anomocalyx
• Costus edulis
• Costus subbiflorus
• Costus ulugurensis
• Costus trachyphyllus
• Costus megalobractea
• Costus oblitterans
• Costus pterometra
• Costus sarmentosus

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Zingiberales, it is classified under the family Costaceae and the genus Costus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Costus afer, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing within the borders of Benin, where it thrives in local ecosystems. The species also extends its range into Burkina Faso, contributing to the botanical diversity of the area. Furthermore, the plant is documented in the coastal and inland territories of Ghana. Its presence is also confirmed in the nations of Guinea-Bissau and Guinea, rounding out its regional footprint.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Costus afer is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. Structurally, it functions as a geophyte, relying on underground storage organs to survive unfavorable environmental conditions and facilitate regrowth. This life form classifies it as a cryptophyte, as its vital regenerative parts remain protected below the soil surface during dormant periods.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Costus afer is characterized by its growth form as a woody herb, exhibiting a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a climber or an epiphyte. As a terrestrial and independent species, it does not function as a parasite or inhabit aquatic environments. The plant's stature varies significantly, with heights ranging from a minimum of approximately 0.91 m to a maximum of about 3.05 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 2.33 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3.048037064 m

Plant height mean:

2.33333333333333 m

Plant height min:

0.914411119 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Costus afer is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in its natural habitat. As a C3 plant, it utilizes the enzyme Rubisco to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide directly into the Calvin cycle, typically requiring moist or shaded environments to manage transpiration and gas exchange effectively. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition processes, the species is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Costus afer is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and a biotic pollination strategy. The plant's flowering cycle is concentrated within a narrow window, with the flowering period beginning and concluding in May. Throughout this time, the reproductive process relies on a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically utilizing insects as the primary agents for pollen transfer. This insect-mediated pollination ensures the successful fertilization and subsequent seed production necessary for the species' lifecycle.

Flowering time :

May

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Costus afer has 3 reported plant parts identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem, leaf, rhizome.

Stem

1. Scientifica
2. Journal of the American College of Nutrition
3. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM
4. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Leaf

1. Scientifica
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Rhizome

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Chemicals

Costus afer has 21 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Tannins, Phenols, Saponins, 2-Methoxy-4-vinylphenol.

Flavonoids

1. Journal of intercultural ethnopharmacology
2. Ancient science of life
3. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Tannins

1. Journal of intercultural ethnopharmacology
2. Ancient science of life
3. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Phenols

1. Journal of intercultural ethnopharmacology
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Saponins

1. Journal of intercultural ethnopharmacology
2. Ancient science of life

2-Methoxy-4-vinylphenol

1. Journal of intercultural ethnopharmacology

9,12-Octadecanoic acid methyl ester

1. Journal of intercultural ethnopharmacology

Anthraquinones

1. Ancient science of life

CAMPESTEROL

1. Journal of intercultural ethnopharmacology

Cardiac Glycosides

1. Ancient science of life

Dioscin

1. Scientifica

Activities

Costus afer has 6 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihyperglycemic, Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antioxidant, CNS-Depressant.

Antihyperglycemic

1. Scientifica
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Analgesic

1. Scientifica

Antibacterial

1. Scientifica

Antioxidant

1. Scientifica

CNS-Depressant

1. Scientifica

Hepatotoxic

1. Ancient science of life

Medicinal Uses

Costus afer has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include arthritis, diabetes mellitus, oxidative stress, Diabetes mellitus, gout.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations