Costus amazonicus

Costus amazonicus (Loes.) J.F.Macbr.

Costus amazonicus (Loes.) J.F.Macbr. is a species in the genus Costus of the family Costaceae. It is native to several regions in South America, including Brazil (North and West-Central), Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Within Colombia, it is found in the Amazonas, Caquetá, and Putumayo departments, as well as in the Parque Nacional Natural Yaigojé Apaporis, Parque Nacional Natural Río Puré, and Parque Nacional Natural Sierra de la Macarena. It is also reported from the Vaupés region and Leticia.

Description

Costus amazonicus was first described in 1931. It belongs to the Costaceae family, which is commonly known as the spiral flag family. The species is distributed across several Amazonian and Andean regions, where it grows in tropical ecosystems. Its presence in multiple protected areas in Colombia highlights its occurrence in ecologically significant zones.

Distribution

BR · Parque Nacional Natural Yaigojé Apaporis | Parque Nacional Natural Río Puré | Parque Nacional Natural Sierra de la Macarena · Amazonas, Caquetá, Putumayo, Vaupés · Brazil North · Brazil West-Central · Colombia · Ecuador · Peru · Leticia