Costus spectabilis

Costus spectabilis is a perennial herb with a rosette of four leaves, each broadly obovate to suborbicular, 4–17 cm in size, with a reddish margin and fleshy base. The leaves are glabrous on the upper side and hairy on the lower. The inflorescence is terminal, enclosed by the leaf bases and sheaths, and produces up to 17 yellow flowers. The plant lacks a visible shoot and has a rhizome system with horizontal runners. It is commonly found in savanna woodlands, often on ant hills and rocky outcrops. It is known to appear after burning events. C. spectabilis is distributed across 25 African countries, including Angola, Benin, Cameroon, and Zimbabwe. It co-occurs with C. macranthus in parts of Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania but has a broader range, particularly in western Africa.