Costus dubius

Costus dubius has underground rhizomes which produce leafy stems and inflorescences on separate stalks.^[3] The round inflorescences have green bracts; each bract produces a single white flower with a yellow-centered labellum. Costus dubius produces many seeds.^[2]

Costus dubius is sometimes confused with several other African species of Costus, such as Costus afer and Costus dinklagei.^[4][2] Costus dubius is the only African species of Costus capable of self-pollination.^[2]

Costus dubius has a wide native range and can be found throughout tropical Africa.^[2]

Costus dubius has been introduced to several places in which it has become naturalized or invasive including:

• Queensland, Australia^[1]

• Java, Indonesia^[5]

• Hawaii, U.S.A.^[3][4]

In its native Africa, Costus dubius is found in many different types of forest, as well as along rivers and roads and in plantations.^[2] Costus dubius prefers wet tropical biomes and does not appear to survive in the subtropics.^[4][1]

"2 Costus dubius". Botany Brisbane. Retrieved 18 July 2024. - Website contains photographs showing different features of Costus dubius