Costus (species unidentified)

Native across tropical and subtropical regions, this genus of perennial herbs includes the plants commonly known as spiral gingers. Underground rhizomes produce leafy shoots, often with the leaves arranged in a single ascending spiral. Each leaf base forms a sheath around the stem, with a membranous or leathery extension at its upper edge. Compact flowerheads consist of overlapping bracts and may develop at the tips of leafy stems or on separate shoots. The flowers have three petals, a conspicuous lip and one fertile stamen. Depending on the species, the lip spreads broadly or forms a narrow tube. Photographed in Colombia.