Costus scaber

Costus scaber is a species of plant in the family Costaceae.^[2] Its native range is Mexico to Tropical America.^[1]

Costus scaber
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Zingiberales
Family:	Costaceae
Genus:	Costus
Species:	C. scaber
Binomial name
Costus scaber Ruiz & Pav.
Synonyms[1]
Costus anachiri Jacq. Costus ciliatus Miq. Costus cylindricus var. anachiri (Jacq.) Petersen Costus cylindricus var. ciliatus (Miq.) Petersen Costus nutans K.Schum. Costus puchucupango J.F.Macbr. Costus quintus Roem. & Schult. Costus scaberulus Rich. ex Gagnep. Costus tatei Rusby

In Costa Rica, Costus scaber is grown in homegardens and used to treat multiple medical conditions.^[3] In Trinidad, it is used as an ingredient in treating dogs for snakebite.^[4]

Costus scaber has been introduced to Hawaii, the Leeward Islands, and Puerto Rico.^[1][5] It has been identified as native^[5] or alien^[6][7] to Saint Lucia.

Costus scaber is very similar in appearance to other species of Costus, especially Costus spicatus and Costus spiralis.^[8][9][10]