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Glite Dictionary
Curcuma

Curcuma

9.3
A group of tropical plants like turmeric that have showy leaves and flowers
  • noun
  • /ˈkɜrkjʊmə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Curcuma
  • Farmers cultivate Curcuma for its rhizomes, which are harvested for both culinary and medicinal uses.
  • Curcuma longa
  • turmeric (Curcuma)

Examples

  • Curcuma, commonly known as Curcuma, is widely used as a spice in Asian cuisine.

  • The health benefits of Curcuma have made it a popular supplement in many diets.

  • East Indian arrowroot, Curcuma augustifolia

    Academic text (1993)

Synonyms

genus Curcuma
vsCurcuma
  • Specialized
9.5

A group of tropical plants from Asia like turmeric used as spices and medicine

shares the same meaning but is a shorter scientific label

Compounds

Curcuma domestica
  • Specialized
7.7

A tropical plant from India with a yellow root used as a spice and dye

Curcuma longa
  • Specialized
9.1

A tropical plant with yellow roots used to make the spice turmeric

genus Curcuma
  • Specialized
9.5

A group of tropical plants from Asia like turmeric used as spices and medicine

Surface Forms

Curcuma singular
Curcumas plural

Etymology

Curcuma comes from old Asian words kunkuma and kurkum, names for the bright yellow dye and spice we call turmeric. So Curcuma is a fitting name for the group of plants that includes the turmeric used in cooking and medicine.