Curcuma longa

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Botanical Description: Curcuma longa is a robust, clump-forming perennial that can grow up to 1 meter (about 3 feet) tall. It has false stems made up of tightly wrapped leaf sheaths, similar to its cousin, ginger. The leaves are large, elongated, and lance-shaped, sometimes reaching up to 1 meter in length. They are bright green, adding an ornamental quality to the plant. Arrangement: Leaves sprout from the base of the stem, which is actually a pseudostem composed of leaf sheaths. Turmeric flowers are not commonly seen as the plant rarely blooms, especially outside its native habitat. When it does flower, the inflorescence is a spike-like structure arising directly from the rootstock amidst the leaves. The flowers are pale yellow and are borne in spikes surrounded by pale green bracts with a pink or red top.
Flowering/Fruiting: Flowering months are usually August to November. Curcuma longa, primarily reproduces through its rhizomes rather than through seed production and this is usually January to March.
Plant Uses: Culinary Uses (Spice & Coloring Agent), Medicinal Uses (Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Digestive Health, Antimicrobial and Skin Care), Cosmetic Uses and Dyeing Uses.
Origin: Introduced
Locality: University of Port Harcourt Delta Campus.
Habit: Herb
Mode: Wild