Costus loangensis, an exciting new species from Gabon, Africa

By

Maas-van de Kamer, Hiltje 1941-
Maas, Paul J. M., 1939-
Specht, Chelsea

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2012

Original Publication

PhytoKeys

Volume

18

Pages

11-18

Subjects

Africa , Costaceae , Costus , Gabon , spiral ginger , Zingiberales

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers [2010]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.18.3713

 

Abstract

A new species of spiral ginger (Costus: Costaceae) from Gabon, Africa is described. Costus loangensis H. Maas & Maas is found in the coastal region on white sand soils under a tropical rain forest canopy. It is morphologically distinct from all other African species of Costus but shows some similarities in floral form with the savanna-inhabiting Costus spectabilis (Fenzl) K. Schum. and similarities in vegetative form with Costus ligularis Baker. Only one population of the new species is documented. Photographs of the new species are included as is a preliminary phylogeny indicating its position within the African Costaceae.