A Ginger for ID

I have had this ginger for a little over a year and have been waiting for it to bloom in order to possibly secure an ID for it. It is just under 4 ft tall and is in a container.
Any help is greatly appreciated.

The plant

The bloom head

And a closer view of the cane

It appears to be "costus speciosus" not the varigated type......i have a question about how much sun Costus El Whiskey" should get.....right now it is getting the west sun from 2-5............i think it may be too much

http://www.google.com/search?q=costus+speciosus&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&prmd=ivns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=BkQsTuGgB5Sr0AGn29XkDg&ved=0CCUQsAQ&biw=898&bih=550

http://www.gingersrus.com/images/thumbnail.php?columns=4&Folder=Costus - species H-L

also check this out at gingersrus

Photo# 10940 taken 20 September, 2000 by Dave Skinner at Le Jardin Ombragé
Received as Costus speciosus, found to be - Cheilocostus lacerus

Thanks much Baskcomet. as to sun...I have found morning sun and bright shade in the afternoon seems to work for the couple I have. More than that and the leaves seem to "sunburn"

West sun here is the hottest part of the day..I put all my gingers in morning sun then shaded the rest of the day..

Your photo is C speciosus, was Costus now it's Cheilocostus. Regarding C lacerus, they are closely related but C lacerus has more rounded inflorescences with hairlike filaments on the bracts. The bracts often have some necrosis going on and don't look as "clean" as speciosus. Dave has good pictures of both species on his site. BUT a google image search on C lacerus will turn up tons of mislabeled photos !! Speciosus is Much Much more common in the trade.

Tim Chapman

Thanks for the info Tim. I got this C speciosus from my friend Zap Daigle in P'ville when he closed his nursery....he stuck 4 or 5 pots of stuff in the truck and said the tags had gotten lost....Slowly but surely things are growing and starting to bloom...and get names....GRIN

One other comment about C. speciosus in zone 8 and warmer, they can become weedy. Seeds can come up all over. This is a great Costus for colder climates but be careful of its placement.

David Glover

Thanks David. I have a fairly large area for them to spread out. Right now the plant is in a container...it spent the winter in the greenhouse. Now that I know for sure what it is, it will be going in the ground...Whoo-hoo one less pot to keep track of. Grin

Thanks to you all for your help.