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Curcuma parviflora

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Curcuma parviflora Wall.

Family Name: Zingiberaceae
Synonyms: Hitcheniopsis parviflora (Wall.) Loes.
Common Name: Theap Rum Ruk

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Herbaceous Plant
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Columnar
Maximum Height 30 cm to 50 cm

Biogeography

Native Distribution Malaya, Myanmar, Thailand
Native Habitat Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only)

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Perennial herb up to 50 cm tall.
Foliage Its long-stalked, green leaves are elliptic to oblong-lanceolate.
Stems The plant grows from an underground, horizontal stem known as a rhizome. The aboveground, stem-like structures which emerge from the rhizome are known as pseudostems.
Flowers Its inflorescence is erect, emerge between the leaves and is made up of many bracts. The upper bracts are white, whereas the lower bracts are green. The purplish flowers occur from the bracts.
Habitat It often occurs on limestone hills at an altitude of 100-1300 m above sea level.
Cultivation It grows best in moist, well-drained soil.
Etymology The genus name Curcuma is derived from the Arabic “kurkum” or “kunkuma” for turmeric or its saffron-like colour.
Ethnobotanical Uses Edible Plant Parts : Edible Flowers, Edible Leaves, Edible Stems
Food (Fruit or Vegetable): Young leaves and flowers are eaten cooked, often with chilli.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers
Landscape Uses Parks & Gardens, Container Planting, Small Gardens
Thematic Landscaping Economic Garden

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Semi-Shade
Water Preference Lots of Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils
Propagation Method Division

Foliar

Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Oblong)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Apex - Tip Acuminate
Foliar Base Rounded / Obtuse
Typical Foliar Area Macrophyll ( 182.25cm2 - 1640.25 cm2 )
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot)
Typical Foliar Size 8 cm to 30 cm

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s) White, Purple
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Terminal
Flower Symmetry Bilateral
Individual Flower Shape Tubular
Flower Size 2 cm

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule

Image Repository

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Others

Master ID 610
Species ID 1905
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 03 October 2023.
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