Costus is a tall perennial herb, well known as a medicinal plant. Stems up
to 2 m tall, or more. Lower leaves are long-stalked, pinnate, 30-40 cm
long, with a trianglular terminal leaflet, up to 30 cm long. Upper leaves
are smaller, up to 30 cm long, stem-clasping. All leaves are irregularly
toothed. There is a rounded cluster of a few purple flower-heads at the
top of the stem. The flower-heads look like balls covered with purple
bracts. Costus is frequently cultivated in the Himalayas as a medicinal
plant. It is found in the Himalayas, from pakistan to Himachal Pradesh, at
altitudes of 2000-3300 m. Flowering: July-August.
Medicinal uses: Costus is widely used in several indigenous
systems of medicine for the treatment of various ailments, like asthma,
inflammatory diseases, ulcer and stomach problems.
Identification credit: Nongthombam Ullysess
Photographed in Lahaul, Himachal Pradesh.
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The flower labeled Costus is ...