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Curcuma

{{Short description|Genus of flowering plants in the ginger family Zingiberaceae}}

{{automatic taxobox

|image = Curcuma_zedoaria_-_Köhler–s_Medizinal-Pflanzen-048.jpg

|image_caption = Curcuma zedoaria: illustration from Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen, 1896

|display_parents = 2

|taxon = Curcuma

|authority = L. nom. cons.

|synonyms =

{{Collapsible list

|title = 11 synonyms

|bullets = on

|Dischema {{small|Voigt}}

|Erndlia {{small|Giseke}}

|Hitchenia {{small|Wall.}}

|Hitcheniopsis {{small|(Baker) Ridl.}}

|Kua {{small|Rheede ex Medic.}}

|Laosanthus {{small|K.Larsen & Jenjitt.}}

|Paracautleya {{small|R.M.Sm.}}

|Smithatris {{small|W.J.Kress & K.Larsen}}

|Stahlianthus {{small|Kuntze}}

|Stissera {{small|Giseke nom. illeg.}}

|Zedoaria {{small|Raf. nom. nud.}}

}}

|synonyms_ref = {{R|POWO}}

}}

Curcuma ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|ɜːr|k|j|ʊ|m|ə}}){{Dictionary.com|curcuma}} is a genus of plants in the ginger 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.{{cite journal |title=Curcuma [family ZINGIBERACEAE] |journal=Global Plants |url=https://plants.jstor.org/stable/10.5555/al.ap.flora.fna022_curcuma }} 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.{{R|POWO}}{{Cite journal |last1=Sirirugsa |first1=P. |last2=Larsen |first2=K. |last3=Maknoi |first3=C. |title=The Genus Curcuma L. (Zingiberaceae): Distribution and Classification with Reference to Species Diversity in Thailand |s2cid=173169715 |url=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 |journal=Gardens' Bulletin Singapore |volume=59 |issue=1&2 |pages=203–220 |year=2007 |access-date=2021-10-20 |archive-date=2021-07-25 |archive-url=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 |url-status=dead }}

Botanical description

File:Curcuma longa roots.jpg

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.{{Cite book|last=Collectif|title=Histoire Naturelle|publisher=Flammarion|year=2016|isbn=9782081378599|location=Paris|pages=149|language=French}}

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.{{cite book |translator-last= Tawney |translator-first= C. H. |editor-last= Penzer |editor-first= N. M. |year= 2014 |isbn= 978-935050135-1 |author= Somadeva |author-link= Somadeva |orig-year= 1070 & 1924 |chapter= Ch. 104 - The use of turmeric (kuṅkuma) in ancient India |volume= XIII |trans-title= The Ocean of Story |title= Kathasaritsagara |title-link= Kathasaritsagara |page= 13 |publisher= B.R. Publishing Corporation |chapter-url= https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/kathasaritsagara-the-ocean-of-story/d/doc363248.html }}

Species

File:Naturalis Biodiversity Center - L.0939336 - Curcuma zerumbet - Artwork.jpeg

File:Curcuma inodora W IMG 1291.jpg

File:Naturalis Biodiversity Center - L.0939330 - Bernecker, A. - Curcuma domestica Valeton - Artwork.jpeg

File:薑黃 - 南庄 Curcuma longa - Nanzhuang 20220827222819 01.jpg]]

{{As of|2025|2}}, Plants of the World Online accepts the following 167 species:{{R|POWO}}

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Gallery

Image:Curcuma aeruginosa1.jpg|Curcuma aeruginosa

Image:Curcuma longa (Haldi) Im IMG 2441.jpg|Curcuma longa

Image:Curcuma by titanium22.jpg|Curcuma sp.

Image:Curcuma sp.jpg|Curcuma sp.

References

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{{Wikispecies}}

{{Reflist|refs=

{{cite web |url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:331178-2 |title=Curcuma L. |website=Plants of the World Online |publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew |year=2025 |access-date=28 February 2025}}

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{{Taxonbar|from=Q33551}}

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Category:Zingiberaceae genera

Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus