Curcuma pseudomontana - Hill Turmeric

Binomial Name : Curcuma pseudomontana J.Graham

Synonym : Curcuma grahamiana,Curcuma ranadei

Family : Zingiberaceae

Common Name : Hill Turmeric

Tamil Name : Kattu manjal

Hindi Name : Kachura

IUCN status: Vulnerable (VU)

Curcuma pseudomontana Description

Herb, simple, with entire and slightly wavy margin, growing clustered from ground level, Inflorescence spike rising from plant base, from - among the leaf stalks. Flowering spikes seen in the center of the previously formed tuft of leaves, 10-25 cm long, bearing numerous compactly arranged flowers; flowering bracts conspicuous, inverted eggshaped to lancelike, 3-5 x l.5-2,cm, apex rounded to acute, hairless; gr,een with a pinktip. Flowers 2-4 in each fertile bract, bright yellow, 3 cm long and 4 cm broad. Capsules spherical, splitting by 3-valves, smooth. Seeds ovoid or oblong, usually covered with arils. Flowering: June-Septermber.