Costus malortieanus, known as Stepladder Plant, Spiral Ginger, or Spiral Flag, is a species of perennial herbaceous flowering plant in the family Costaceae.[1] It is native to Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras.[2] Costus malortieanus is often cultivated as an ornamental plant.[3]
Costus malortieanus has large felty leaves and grows up to 1 meter tall. The ligule is short. Flowers are formed at the terminal ends of stalks. The corollas are creamy white to yellow and have red-striped labellum wings.[4]
Costus malortieanus has been introduced in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.[2] It is naturalized on the island of Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A.[5]