Costus afer explained

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

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

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

Notes and References

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