''Costus afer'', English ginger lily or common ginger lily, is a

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

of plant native to Tropical Africa. ''Costus afer'' is widely cultivated. It has many traditional uses, including but not limited to treating a range of medical ailments. ''Costus afer'' is high in

diosgenin Diosgenin, a phytosteroid sapogenin, is the product of hydrolysis by acids, strong bases, or enzymes of saponins, extracted from the tubers of ''Dioscorea'' wild yam species, such as the Kokoro. The sugar-free (aglycone) product of such hydrolys ...

. ''Costus afer'' has a wide native distribution spanning North East Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa, and Southern Tropical Africa. ''Costus afer'' is sometimes confused with other African species of ''Costus'', such as '' Costus dubius'' and '' Costus lucanusianus''. It is also similar looking to '' Costus louisii''.

References

Flora of Africa afer Plants used in traditional African medicine Garden plants {{improve categories, date=July 2024