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Botanical Garden

Curcuma zedoaria - Hidden lily

Curcuma zedoaria
Curcuma zedoaria
Curcuma zedoaria

Family Zingiberaceae

Description:

About 80 species of Curcuma are native to Asia, Australia and Polynesia. Species and hybrids are popular in gardens and as cut flowers. Several species are used for spices and flavorings. Leaves have a reddish stripe along the mid-rib and grow to about two to three feet tall. Plants spread by rhizomes. Zedoary from the rhizomes of C. zedoaria is used as a spice, tonic, and perfume.

Location:

See plants in Founders Plaza northeast of building 2.

Size:

Herbaceous plant with leaves about three feet tall.

Care Instructions:

Light: part shade

Water: well-drained soil, some drought tolerance

Soil: average garden soil

Many of the species and hybrids of Curcuma succeed in north Florida gardens. They grow best in a shady, well-drained site. These plants are naturally deciduous in winter. The colorful flower spike emerges before the leaves expand.