Plant · GBIF taxon 2756876
Costus afer
Costus aferAlso known as English Ginger Lily, Common Ginger Lily, Spiral Ginger, Bush Cane
Spiral ginger stands tall in humid African understories, easily recognized by thick stems that twist upward in a distinctive spiral pattern. Terminal flower heads produce delicate white and bright yellow blossoms that draw bees, butterflies, and sunbirds seeking rich nectar. Native across tropical West and Central Africa, this perennial herb forms dense thickets along shaded riverbanks and moist forest edges.
TropicalFloweringHerbaceous
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Sunlight
- Water
- Soil nutrients
Predators
- Grasshoppers
- Caterpillars
- Snails
ThreatsDeforestation, local land clearing, unsustainable wild harvesting
HabitatsRainforest margins, riverbanks, swamp edges, moist clearings
Life spanPerennial
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCostaceae
- SpeciesCostus afer
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Identification: Look for leafy cane-like stems winding spirally with terminal cone-like flower spikes.
- Habitat Spotting: Search in damp, humid shade near tropical streams and forest borders.
- Seasonal Bloom: Observe bright yellow and white petals blooming during wet seasonal peaks.
Close Relative Close Relative 
Order Relative (c) Greg III Espera, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Greg III Espera · cc-by
Order Relative (c) Kristof Zyskowski, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kristof Zyskowski · cc-by
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