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Costus spicatus (Jacq.) Sw.
Spiral flag

Family: Costaceae

Group: Monocot

Substrate: Terrestrial

Habit: Shrub

Perennation: Perennial

Native Range: The West Indies (not Jamaica); widely cultivated and sometimes naturalized elsewhere.

Map of Florida Locations

SOUTH FLORIDA Occurrence: Present

SOUTH FLORIDA Native Status: Not Native, Naturalized

South Florida History and Distribution: IRC considers this an emerging invasive in South Florida.

SOUTH FLORIDA Cultivated Status: Cultivated

Comments: For images, visit Top Tropicals.

Other data on Costus spicatus available from :

Costus spicatus has been found in the following 13 conservation areas :
Occurrence Native Status
Alice C. Wainwright Park Present Not Native, Naturalized
Big Cypress National Preserve Present Not Native, Cultivated Only
Castellow Hammock parcel 33 Present Not Native, Naturalized
Coral Pines Park Present Not Native, Cultivated Only
Deering Estate at Cutler Present Not Native, Naturalized
Dupuis Reserve Present Not Native, Cultivated Only
Enchanted Forest Park Present Not Native, Cultivated Only
Hattie Bauer Hammock Present Not Native, Cultivated Only
Kendalwood Present Not Native, Cultivated Only
The Barnacle State Historic Park Present Not Native, Cultivated Only
Tradewinds Park & Stables Present Not Native, Cultivated Only
Twin Rivers Present Not Native, Cultivated Only
Yamato Scrub Natural Area Present Not Native, Cultivated Only