Wild arrowroot, Nilgiri turmeric
Curcuma neilgherrensis

Family: Zingiberaceae

What it is like

A small ginger family herb. The leaves are sword shaped and pale green. The leaves are 25 cm long. The leaf blade narrows at both ends. The flowers are in spikes 5-10 cm long. The spikes are 3-5 cm across. The flower bracts are pale yellowish-green. The flowers are 2.5 cm across.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It occurs on exposed areas and hill slopes.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India, Laos, Myanmar, SE Asia

How it is used for food

It is used in curry powder. It is used to flavour cooked food.

Edible parts

Rhizome, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kadu harashina, Kattukalvazhai, Kattumanjal, Koova, Manjakoova, Vellakkuva

Synonyms

Curcuma angustifolia Dalzell & A. Gibson [Illegitimate];