Costus woodsonii explained

Costus woodsonii, the red button ginger or scarlet spiral flag, is a species of flowering plant in the family Costaceae, native to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia.[1] [2] A rhizomatous geophytic perennial, it is recommended for coastal gardens, borders, containers, and general wet, tropical garden applications.[2] It is more widely cultivated than other species of Costus.[3] Costus woodsonii is named for Robert Woodson of the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Ecology

The inflorescence of C. woodsonii has bracts that produce extrafloral nectar. This nectar attracts ants that interfere with oviposition by herbivores of the plant.[4] White-faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus) eat Costus woodsonii.[5]

Notes and References

  1. 66932-2 . Costus woodsonii Maas . 31 May 2023 .
  2. Web site: Costus woodsonii Maas . . 14 October 2021 . nparks.gov.sg . Flora Fauna Web . 31 May 2023 .
  3. Web site: Skinner . Dave . Costus woodsonii . GingersRus . 3 August 2024.
  4. Schemske . Douglas W. . 1980 . The Evolutionary Significance of Extrafloral Nectar Production by Costus woodsonii (Zingiberaceae): An Experimental Analysis of Ant Protection . Journal of Ecology . 68 . 3 . 959–967 . 10.2307/2259468 . 0022-0477.
  5. Book: Campbell . Jennifer Christine . White-faced Capuchins (Cebus capucinus) of Cahuita National Park, Costa Rica: Human Foods and Human Interactions . 2013 . 3 August 2024.