Costus scaber explained

Costus scaber is a species of plant in the Costaceae family. Its native range is Mexico to Tropical America.^[1]

In Costa Rica, Costus scaber is grown in homegardens and used to treat multiple medical conditions.^[2] In Trinidad, it is used as an ingredient in treating dogs for snakebite.^[3]

Costus scaber has been introduced to Hawaii, the Leeward Islands, and Puerto Rico.^[4] It has been identified as native or alien^{[5] [6]} to Saint Lucia.

Costus scaber is very similar in appearance to other species of Costus, especially Costus spicatus and Costus spiralis.^{[7] [8] [9]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Costus scaber Ruiz & Pav.. Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanical Gardens Kew . 3 August 2024.
2. González-Ball . Roxana . Bermúdez-Rojas . Tania . Romero-Vargas . Marilyn . Ceuterick . Melissa . Medicinal plants cultivated in urban home gardens in Heredia, Costa Rica . Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine . 2022 . 18 . 7 . 7 . 10.1186/s13002-022-00505-z. free . 35151356 . 8840630 .
3. Lans . Cheryl . Harper . Tisha . Georges . Karla . Bridgewater . Elmo . Medicinal and ethnoveterinary remedies of hunters in Trinidad . BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine . 2001 . 1 . 10 . 10.1186/1472-6882-1-10. free . 11737880 . 60997 .
4. Web site: Untitled . Smithsonian Institution . 4 August 2024.
5. Book: Graveson . Roger . Plant Taxonomy of Saint Lucia . 2009 . FCG International Ltd . 4 August 2024.
6. Book: Daltry . Jennifer C. . Biodiversity assessment of Saint Lucia's forests, with management recommendations . 2009 . FCG (Finnish Consulting Group) International Ltd . 3 August 2024.
7. Skinner . Dave . Costus of the Golfo Dulce Region . Heliconia Society International Bulletin . October 2008 . 14 . 4 . 3 August 2024.
8. Web site: Skinner . Dave . Costus Scaber and Affinities . GingersRus . 3 August 2024.
9. Web site: Skinner . Dave . Costus Scaber . GingersRus . 3 August 2024.