Costus speciosus is an erect plant that grows up to 2.7 meters high. Its root stock is tuberous; stem sub-woody at the base; leaves are sub sessile, oblong, spirally arranged, silky-pubescent beneath; sheaths coriaceous; flowers are present in very dense spikes, many; bracts ovate, mucronate, bright red; corrolla tube short, lobes ovate-oblong subequal; lip white with yellow center, crisped, concave; disk with a tuft of hair at the base. Fruits capsule, globosely trigonus, red; seeds black with white aril. Flowering time in Indian condition is August to October. According to Ayurveda the...