Red Button Ginger

Costus woodsonii Maas

COST-us wood-SOAN-ee-eye

Costaceae

Explanation of name: Costus presumably refers to the Himalayan Costus Root Saussurea lappa (Asteraceae), which has a long history in medicine. Robert Woodson (1904?-1963) was an American botanist.

Natural range: Caribbean

Recognition: Robust spiral ginger to about 4’ tall, bright lipstick-red bracts, and yellow flowers protruding between the bracts. Important cultivars include ‘Red Button’ and ‘French Kiss’.

Landscape uses: A vigorous, colorful, attractive, flowery ginger with bright red erect candles in sunny or shaded conditions. Use it to fill space with color. Flowers during most warm months. Sometimes grown in containers.