Curcuma Explained

Curcuma is a genus of plants in the family Zingiberaceae that contains such species as turmeric and Siam tulip. They are native to Southeast Asia, southern China, the Indian Subcontinent, New Guinea and northern Australia.[1] Some species are reportedly naturalized in other warm parts of the world such as tropical Africa, Central America, Florida, and various islands of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Generally, most curcuma grows well in loose and sandy soil in shaded areas.[2] [3]

Botanical description

Curcuma is a perennial, herbaceous plant that can reach a height of 1 meter. It emits numerous, edible rhizomes whose interiors are yellow or orange. These rhizomes are reduced to a powder, which is the spice called curcuma. Its lanceolate leaves are oblong or elliptical and are of a uniform green, and about 50cm long and 7 to 25 cm wide.[4]

Uses

The name is derived from the Sanskrit kuṅkuma, referring to turmeric. Turmeric is used to flavour or colour curry powders, mustards, butters, and cheeses; it may also be used as a substitute for saffron or other yellowish pigments.[5]

Species

Plants of the World Online currently includes:[6]

Notes and References

  1. Curcuma [family ZINGIBERACEAE] ]. Global Plants .
  2. http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=235183 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  3. Sirirugsa . P. . Larsen . K. . Maknoi . C. . The Genus Curcuma L. (Zingiberaceae): Distribution and Classification with Reference to Species Diversity in Thailand . 173169715 . Gardens' Bulletin Singapore . 59 . 1&2 . 203–220 . 2007 . 2021-10-20 . 2021-07-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210725163322/https://www.nparks.gov.sg/sbg/research/publications/gardens-bulletin-singapore/-/media/sbg/gardens-bulletin/4-4-59-1-2-19-y2007-v59-p1-p2-gbs-pg-203.pdf . dead .
  4. Book: Collectif. Histoire Naturelle. Flammarion. 2016. 9782081378599. Paris. 149. French.
  5. Book: Tawney . C. H. . 1924 . 9789350501351 . Somadeva . Somadeva . 1079 . The use of turmeric (kuṅkuma) in ancient India . XIII, ch. 104 . The Ocean of Story . Kathasaritsagara . Kathasaritsagara . 13 . B.R. Publishing Corporation . https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/kathasaritsagara-the-ocean-of-story/d/doc363248.html.
  6. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:331178-2 Plants of the World Online: Curcuma L. (retrieved 3 May 2021)
  7. Ruchisansakun . Saroj . Jenjittikul . Thaya . Curcuma Ignea (Zingiberaceae), A Spectacular New Species from Thailand . Edinburgh Journal of Botany . 80 . 2023-07-13 . 1474-0036 . 10.24823/ejb.2023.1959 . 1–8. free .
  8. Web site: Leonid crocus (Curcuma leonidii) – a new species discovered in Bu Gia Map National Park in Binh Phuoc province. Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. 2014-05-03. 2014-05-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20140504001428/http://www.vast.ac.vn/en/news/science-and-technology-news/1561-leonid-crocus-curcuma-leonidii-a-new-species-discovered-in-bu-gia-map-national-park-in-binh-phuoc-province. dead.
  9. Leong-Škorničková . J. . Trần . H.Ð. . Two new species of Curcuma subgen. Ecomata (Zingiberaceae) from southern Vietnam . Gardens' Bulletin Singapore . 2013 . 65 . 2 . 169–180.
  10. Zhang . Li-Xia . Ding . Hong-Bo . Li . Hai-Tao . Zhang . Zhong-Lian . Tan . Yun-Hong . Curcuma tongii, a new species of Curcuma subgen. Ecomatae (Zingiberaceae) from southern Yunnan, China . Phytotaxa . 11 March 2019 . 395 . 3 . 241 . 10.11646/phytotaxa.395.3.9 . 92158324 .

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