common turmeric
Curcuma longa L.
Curcuma longa L. is a rhizomatous herb in the Zingiberaceae family, native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is cultivated for its rhizomes, used in food, dyeing, and traditional medicine. The species has a broad distribution, including regions in South America, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean. The nomenclatural status of C. longa is uncertain, with historical debate over its type specimen.
Description
Curcuma longa L. is a perennial herb in the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), known as common turmeric. It thrives in warm, humid climates with temperatures between 20 and 30 °C and high annual rainfall. The plant is harvested for its rhizomes, which are used for propagation, culinary purposes, and as a natural dye. Its distribution spans from South and Southeast Asia to parts of South America, the Caribbean, and other tropical regions. The taxonomic status of C. longa remains uncertain, with historical confusion over its type specimen. Early interpretations suggest it was based on Curcuma radice longa Herm., but this has been treated as a nomen dubium due to difficulties in identification. The species is conserved, though its type remains unresolved.
Other common names
TurmericIndian-saffroncommon turmeric
Distribution
TW · CU · YE · CD · MG · ST · PH · AU · Amazonas, Guaviare, Quindío · EC · Amazonia colombiana: sur del departamento del Vichada; el suroriente del Meta; todo el territorio de los departamentos de Amazonas, Caquetá, Guainía, Guaviare, Putumayo y Vaupés; la Bota Caucana; y las vertientes amazónicas de Nariño (la parte alta de los · Global · Jardín Botánico de Bogotá · Hawaii · Andaman Is. · Assam · Bangladesh · Belize · Borneo · Cambodia · Caroline Is. · China South-Central · China Southeast · Comoros · Congo · Cook Is. · Costa Rica · Cuba · Dominican Republic · East Himalaya
Synonyms
Amomum curcumaCurcuma domesticaKua domesticaStissera curcumaCurcuma tinctoriaStissera curcuma
