Costus laevis

Costus laevis is a member of the Costaceae family and was first documented in 1798 by Ruiz & Pav. It is native to a wide range of countries in South and Central America, including Mexico, Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and Peru. In Colombia, the species is recorded in multiple departments such as Antioquia, Arauca, Boyacá, Caldas, Caquetá, Cauca, Chocó, Cundinamarca, Huila, Magdalena, Meta, Nariño, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindío, Santander, Tolima, and Valle. It is also present in the Cuenca de Río Claro and several national parks, including Parque Nacional Natural Serranía de Los Yariguíes, Parque Nacional Natural Las Orquídeas, Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona, Parque Nacional Natural Sumapaz, Parque Nacional Natural Utría, Parque Nacional Natural Los Katíos, Parque Nacional Natural Go, Parque Nacional Natural Tatamá, and others.