Curcuma

Curcuma
Curcuma zedoaria: illustration from Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen, 1896
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Zingiberaceae
Subfamily: Zingiberoideae
Tribe: Zingibereae
Genus: Curcuma
L. nom. cons.
Synonyms
11 synonyms
  • Dischema Voigt
  • Erndlia Giseke
  • Hitchenia Wall.
  • Hitcheniopsis (Baker) Ridl.
  • Kua Rheede ex Medic.
  • Laosanthus K.Larsen & Jenjitt.
  • Paracautleya R.M.Sm.
  • Smithatris W.J.Kress & K.Larsen
  • Stahlianthus Kuntze
  • Stissera Giseke nom. illeg.
  • Zedoaria Raf. nom. nud.

Curcuma (/ˈkɜːrkjʊmə/) 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. 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.