Costus spiralis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Amomum spirale
• Gissanthe spiralis
• Alpinia spiralis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered under Zingiberales and placed in the family Costaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Costus as Costus spiralis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to several specific regions across the Caribbean and Northern South America. Within the Caribbean, its range includes the island of Cuba as well as the Venezuelan Antilles. Moving toward the mainland, the species is also found throughout Northern South America. Specifically, it inhabits the territories of French Guiana and Guyana. Finally, its geographical distribution extends into the country of Suriname.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Costus spiralis is characterized by a diverse range of environmental conditions and highly varied habitats. This species demonstrates significant adaptability to different forest structures, thriving in environments such as coastal forests (Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria), terra firme forests, and seasonal semi-deciduous forests (Floresta Estacional Semidecidual). Furthermore, it can be found in ombrophilous or rain forests (Floresta Ombrófila), palm groves (Palmeiral), and coastal restinga ecosystems. Its altitudinal distribution is quite broad, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to an elevation of 1800 m AMSL, allowing it to occupy various ecological niches across different topographical gradients.

Elevational range max:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Palmeiral, Restinga

Life history

The life history of Costus spiralis is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Structurally, the species exhibits a complex life form, functioning as both a geophyte and a cryptophyte. As a geophyte, it relies on underground storage organs to survive unfavorable environmental conditions, ensuring its long-term survival and ability to regenerate. This cryptophytic nature further defines its strategy, as its vital buds and regenerative tissues remain protected below the soil surface, shielded from external stressors such as drought or temperature fluctuations.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Costus spiralis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, exhibiting a primarily terrestrial habit. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies, and maintains a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a climber, vine, or liana. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit epiphytic qualities, such as being a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte, but instead thrives in soil-based environments. Its physical constitution is defined by its herbaceous nature, lacking woody tissue, which contributes to its distinct upright or spreading stature within its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Costus spiralis is characterized by a metabolic framework centered on the C3 photosynthetic pathway, where carbon fixation occurs through the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate by the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells. This C3 mechanism dictates the plant's gas exchange patterns and water-use efficiency, as it relies on the continuous opening of stomata during daylight hours to facilitate the diffusion of CO2, which inherently exposes the plant to transpirational water loss. The plant's physiological processes are driven by this primary carbon assimilation route, influencing its nutrient uptake, biomass accumulation, and overall growth rate in response to environmental variables such as light intensity and humidity. Unlike plants utilizing C4 or CAM pathways, the metabolic regulation in Costus spiralis is optimized for environments where water availability is sufficient to support the standard C3 cycle without the need for specialized carbon-concentrating mechanisms or nocturnal acid accumulation.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Costus spiralis has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Costus spiralis has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Condensed Tannins, Flavonoids, Saponins, Schaftoside, Steroids.

Condensed Tannins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Saponins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Schaftoside

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Steroids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Vicenin II

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Costus spiralis has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antinociceptive.

Antinociceptive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Costus spiralis has 11 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include arthritis, calculi, cough, inflammation, kidney diseases.

Arthritis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Calculi

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cough

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Inflammation

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Kidney diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Kidney stones

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Nociception

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Pain

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Peritonitis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Pyelonephritis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Costus spiralis has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Costus spiralis extract leaves, leaves.

Costus spiralis extract leaves

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leaves

1. Fitoterapia