Hellenia speciosa

Hellenia speciosa and other members of the Costaceae differ from gingers by having only one row of spirally arranged leaves. The species reproduces vegetatively by rhizome, and birds disperse the seeds when they feed on the fruits. The flowers have only two stamens, one is functional, with a single locule, while the other is petaloid, forming a white, bell-shaped trumpet around the fertile one. The true petals, also white, are small. The plant can reach in height. This plant is cultivated in South Asia and Southeast Asia for its medicinal uses, and is cultivated elsewhere as an ornamental. In some areas Hellenia speciosa is introduced and has become an invasive species. ==Habitat==

The species' habitat is low-lying areas in tropical forests and roadside ditches. Flowering starts after onset of the rainy season. ==Ecology==

Caterpillars of the restricted demon (Notocrypta curvifascia) feed on crêpe ginger. ==Human relevance==

The plant has many historical uses in Ayurveda, where the rhizome has been used to treat fever, rash, asthma, bronchitis, and intestinal worms. It is mentioned in the Kama Sutra as an ingredient in a cosmetic to be used on the eyelashes to increase sexual attractiveness. It is used to treat kidney problems and other urinary problems in Mizo Traditional Medicine. It was used as a traditional medicine by Malays when evil spirits have possessed a body, as well as for the treatment of high fever, smallpox and as a purgative. The crêpe ginger is also a source of diosgenin, a compound used for the commercial production of various steroids, such as progesterone. Several parts of the plant are eaten, including the flowers, leaves, shoots, and rhizomes. ==Gallery==

File:Bud of Cheilocostus speciosus.jpg|Bud File:Leaf of Cheilocostus speciosus.jpg|Leaf from back side File:Transformation of crêpe ginger.jpg|Transformation from flower to seeds File:Seeds of crêpe ginger..jpg|Seeds File:Inflorescence of crêpe ginger.jpg|Inflorescence after flowers died File:Leaf of crêpe ginger.jpg|New leaf File:Costus_speciosus_Guadeloupe.JPG|In Basse Terre, Guadeloupe File:Rhizome of crêpe ginger.jpg|Rhizome File:New buds of crêpe ginger.jpg|New buds after winter File:Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta.jpg|Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta (Hawaii, Maui) ==References==