Tikar
Curcuma leucorrhiza
Family: Zingiberaceae
What it is like
A ginger family herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It does not have a stem. It grows 60 cm tall.
There are about 50 Curcuma species. They are mostly in SE Asia.
Where it is found
A tropical plant.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, India (country/location of origin), Indonesia, SE Asia
How it is used for food
The rhizomes yield a form of arrowroot starch.
It is sold in markets. It is a cultivated plant.
Edible parts
Rhizome, root, starch
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from fresh seeds. They germinate best at a temperature around 20°C. Plants can be grown by division.