Kasturi manjal

Family

Zingiberaceae

Origin

Himalayas

Description

Curcuma 'aromatica'  or Wild Turmeric is an aromatic and pretty ginger with stout underground rhizomes. The inflorescence appears in early spring from the base of the rhizome. The peduncle length is about 20–25 cm. Leaves appear after the emergence of the inflorescence. Fully grown, the plants reach a height of about 3 ft. Leaves are broad and very decorative.

It grows quickly and vigorously during the summer monsoon months. This is a robust ginger with stout underground rhizomes. Foliage dies down in late autumn and the rhizomes remain dormant in winter.

Wild turmeric is recognized as a medical herb with strong antibiotic properties. It is believed to play a role in preventing and curing cancer in chinese medicine.

 

Curcuma Aromatica bulbs are valued for their distinctive fragrance, rich foliage, and therapeutic properties. This robust summer rhizome blooms from June to September in plains and July to October in hilly areas. Optimal planting times are February to April in plains and March to May in hills.

Environment

Curcuma Rhizomes prefer medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. For indoor planting make sure your container should contain drainage holes. Some pebbles or little rocks in the bottom of the container can help and improve the drainage. Keep the soil moist but do not overwater. Use humus rich compost with equal quantity of horticultural sand mixed to make the compost well drained and light. Slow release fertilizers can be used.

The best place would be to plant and store the Curcuma plant in a partial shaded area and not too much exposure to direct sunlight, as the Curcuma foliage does not like too much strong sunlight.

Landscape Use

Looks superb grown in groups within the flower bed and border, or equally as effective planted and grown on the patio in pots or containers