Costus macranthus K. Schum.

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Photo: Penny English
Along road between Bolero and Thazima, Rumphi District.

Photo: Penny English
"shortcut " from Rumphi to Thazima, Rumphi District

Open escarpment woodland
Chanama area, Mafinga Distr.
Jan 2022
Photo: Nick Wightman

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Description:	Low perennial herb. Leaves 3-4, somewhat fleshy, flat against the ground in a basal rosette, broadly obovate to almost round, up to c. 7 - 22 cm long, sometimes longer and up to 22 cm wide, hairless above, pubescent below, particularly on the midrib; margin entire, often edged purple-pink. Inflorescence terminal, arising from the centre of the rosette. Flowers showy, yellow, opening one at the time; tube 7-9 cm long; petals narrowly elliptic, 6-8 cm long; labellum 8-11 cm long; anthers 9-13 cm long.
Type location:	Tanzania
Notes:
Derivation of specific name:	macranthus: large-flowered
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Worldwide distribution:	Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
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Literature:	Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 122. Lock, J.M. & Diniz, M.A. (2010). Costaceae Flora Zambesiaca 13(4) Page 117. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 112. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 108.

Other sources of information about Costus macranthus:

Our websites:

Flora of Malawi: Costus macranthus
Flora of Mozambique: Costus macranthus
Flora of Zambia: Costus macranthus
Flora of Zimbabwe: Costus macranthus

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Costus macranthus
African Plant Database: Costus macranthus
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Costus macranthus
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Costus macranthus
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Costus macranthus
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Costus macranthus
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Costus macranthus
JSTOR Plant Science: Costus macranthus
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Costus macranthus
Plants of the World Online: Costus macranthus
Tropicos: Costus macranthus
Wikipedia: Costus macranthus