Description
Curcuma caesia, black turmeric or black zedoary is a perennial herb with bluish-black rhizome, native to North-East and Central India. The rhizome of black turmeric has a high economic importance owing to its putative medicinal properties.
| Sr | Item name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Black Turmeric Plant, Black Haldi - Plant |
In west Bengal, the rhizome of the plant is used in Kali Puja, and hence the plant is called Kali haldi. The leaves have a deep violet-red patch which runs through the length of the lamina. Turmeric plant takes 8 to 10 months to mature. The flower is so attractive that it is worth growing for this alone.
Plant Specifications
| Plant Height | 19 inch (48 cm) |
| Plant Spread | 6 inch (15 cm) |
*above specification are indicative only. actual dimensions may vary by +-10%
| Common Name | Kali haldi, Krishna kedar, Black Turmeric |
| Maximum Reachable Height | 1.5 to 3 feet |
| Flower Colour | White |
| Bloom Time | July to September |
| Difficulty Level | Easy to grow |
Planting and care
Black Turmeric Plant care
Curcuma Caesia usually grows in moist deciduous forests.The best season to plant turmeric is spring or summer.It requires warm and humid climate to thrive.keep the turmeric plant in partial sun in the warmer zones.
| Sunlight | Turmeric prefers warm direct or indirect sun. |
| Watering | Keep the soil moist throughout the growing season from spring to fall. |
| Soil | Rich organic soil that is moist and well-drained. It is grown on different types of soils from light black, ashy loam and red soils clay loam. However, it thrives the best in a well-drained sandy or clay loam. |
| Temperature | 20 to 35 degrees C |
| Fertilizer | Feeding with a liquid fertilizer in growing season is ideal. |
| Harvest Season | The rhizome should be harvested in 9 to 10 months after planting. |
Black Turmeric Plant special feature
Foliage & Rhizome
Black Turmeric Plant uses
Ornamental Use:
- The plant is used for an ornamental purpose
Medicinal Use:
- The rhizome of the plant is aromatic, contains essential oil and used for a variety of purposes
- The characteristic pungent smell of the rhizome is due to the presence of essential oil rich in camphor and starch
- The rhizome is traditionally used in the treatment of hemorrhoids, leprosy, asthma, cancer, fever, wounds, vomiting, menstrual disorder, anthelmentic, aphrodisiac, gonorrheal discharges and inflammation
- Furthermore, the smooth muscle relaxant, anti-tumour and anti-oxidant properties of Curcuma Caesia rhizome extract had been reported
- Note: Please consult your health expert before consuming
Culinary Use:
- Used in Chinese recipes