Image by Alka Khare (ID by Prabhu Kumar K.M.) & Aarti S. Khale  (Id by J.M.Garg & M. Sabu)

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Costus spicatus, also known as Spiked Spirlaflag Ginger or Indian Head Ginger, is a species of herbaceous plant in the Costaceae family (also sometimes placed in Zingiberaceae).[1] 

Costus spicatus is native to the Caribbean, (including Dominica, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Puerto Rico).[1][2][3] 
Costus spicatus leaves grow to a length of approximately 1 foot and a width of approximately 4 inches. It produces a short red cone, from which red-orange flowers emerge one at a time.[4]
Costus spicatus will grow in full sun if it is kept moist. It reaches a maximum height of about 6 to 7 feet.[4] 
Costus spicatus can develop a symbiotic partnership with certain species of ants (often only a single species of ant will be compatible). The ants are provided with a food source (nectar in C. spicatus flowers) as well as a place to construct a nest. In turn, the ants protect developing seeds from herbivorous insects.[4] 
(From Wikipedia on 3.9.14)

 

 

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Attached is a picture of Zingiber zerumbet captured at Mumbai in January 2013.
Requested to please validate the ID.


This is probably not Zingiber zerumbet, it should be some species of Costus ?


Yes Costus sp.


It seems the insulin plant Costus igneus.


Thanks … for the feedback….

C. igneus has yellow flowers. Is it any of Costus woodsonii or C. spicatus?


It is Costus spicatus


 
Araceae, Arecaceae and Zingiberaceae Fortnight: August 1 to 14, 2014 : Costus woodsonii : Mumbai : 300814 : AK-113 : 1 post by 1 author. Attachments (4).  

Pictures taken at Hiranandani Gardens, Powai during TAW in Feb,2014.


It appears like images of Costus spicatus (Cultivated) posted by …. from Mumbai & as identified by … 
Pl. confirm.


This name was given in the list of Tree Appreciation Walks, where I saw the plant.
Hope to get the correct name validated. 


Yes. He is correct.


Thanks to you and … for validation. I take it as Costus spicatus?


Yes pl.


   

 
 

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