This is the type form of the true species Costus laevis that was collected by Hipolito Ruiz in 1787, Chacahuassi, Huanuco, Peru. It was also collected by Weberbauer in 1902 near La Merced and was described by Loesener as C. weberbaueri in 1929, then later placed into synonymy with C. laevis R & P.

It is common in the area and found along the trails leading to the waterfalls.

UPDATE 26-April-2018

This green bracted form of C. aff. spiralis has been determined to be the original Costus laevis as collected by Hipolito Ruiz. It may be maintained as a separate species or may become a formal variety of Costus spiralis in a future revision to new world Costus.

UPDATE 3-June-2020
As part of the revision to new world Costus, this may be reclassified to C. weberbaueri Loes. which is currently a syn. of C. laevis Ruiz & Pavon.