Medicinal and Aromatic Plants - vol 45 - Turmeric- The Genus Curcuma

20 Turmeric: The Genus Curcuma
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FIGURE 2.2 Line diagram depicting floral parts of turmeric: 1. LS of inflorescence. 2. A flower with bract
and bracteoles. 3. LS of a flower. 4. Pistil. 5. Stamen.
The rhizome of this plant is widely used as a vegetable, in pickles, and as a spice for adding
a ginger-cum-mango flavor. It is used in traditional medicine as well as in local and tribal systems
for various ailments such as prurigo and rheumatism, as an expectorant, and as an astringent; useful
in diarrhea.
2.2.3.2 C. aromatica Salisb.
C. aromatica Salisb. Parad. London t. 96, 1805; Wight, Icon. Pl. Indiae Orient. 6: t. 2005, 1853;
Baker in Hooker f. Fl. Brit. India 6:210, 1890; Trimen, Hand. Fl. Ceylon 4:241, 1898; Schuman
in Engler, Pflanzen. 4(46):111, 1904; Cooke, Fl. Pre. Bombay 2:730, 1907; Fische. Rec. Bot. Sur.
India 9:177, 1921; in Gamble, Fl. Pre. Madras, 8:1483, 1928; Burtt and Smith, in Dassanayaka,
Rev. Hand. Fl. Ceylon, 4:503, 1983.
The specific epithet of this species is derived from the camphoraceous aroma of rhizome.
Primary rhizome large, 3 to 5 × 3 to 4 cm; yellow within, aromatic; sessile tubers many, yellow
to pale yellow. Leafy shoot 1 m or more, leaves distichous, five to seven; petiole long; lamina 40