Main | Family List (MO) | Family List (INBio) | Cutting Edge Draft Treatments | Guidelines | Checklist | Citing | Editors The Cutting Edge Volume X, Number 3, July 2003 News and Notes | Recent Treatments | Leaps and Bounds | Germane Literature | Season's Pick SEASON'S PICK: Costus guanaiensis Rusby (& others...) -- COSTACEAE As often, we're not focusing here on anything particularly uncommon, but since on our recent trip to the Osa Peninsula, we had the luck of finding this species and several other Costus doing their best to catch the eye, we couldn't resist. If this one had no name in the trade, I would suggest “Costus Pink Goldfish.“ This particular plant was growing on the northern side of the peninsula, not far from Drake bay, and represents Costus guanaiensis var. macrostrobilus (K. Schum.) Maas. The species is widespread, known essentially from throughout the tropical Americas. All photos by B. Hammel. Voucher: Hammel et al. 22833. This and the three other species featured here below exemplify the high potential as ornamentals in this family. Costus lasius Loes.: This is known from Nicaragua to Peru, but in Costa Rica only from the southern third of the Pacific slope. Voucher Hammel et al. 22840. Costus osae Maas & H. Maas: Endemic to the Golfito region of Costa Rica, this species was discovered as a result of exploration in the course of the Manual Project, and described in 1997. Voucher: Hammel 18318. Costus stenophyllus Standl. & L. O. Williams: Another Costa Rican endemic, this species, flashy even vegetatively, is also restricted to the souther third of the Pacific slope. Voucher: J. Marin 34 TOP