Costus spicatus

Costus spicatus, also known as spiked spiralflag ginger or Indian head ginger, is a species of herbaceous plant in the Costaceae family (also sometimes placed in Zingiberaceae). Costus spicatus is native to the Caribbean, (including Dominica, Guadeloupe, Hispaniola, Martinique, and Puerto Rico). Costus spicatus leaves grow to a length of approximately 1 ft (30 cm) and a width of approximately 4 in (10 cm). It produces a short red cone, from which red-orange flowers emerge one at a time. In botanical literature, Costus woodsonii has often been misidentified as Costus spicatus. Both species are common in cultivation. Costus spicatus will grow in full sun if it is kept moist. It reaches a maximum height of about 6 to 7 feet. 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. In Dominican folk medicine, an herbal tea made from the leaves of C. spicatus is used for diabetes (hyperglycemia). However, a 2009 study concluded that C. spicatus tea '...had no efficacy in the treatment of obesity-induced hyperglycemia.'