1079

 Curcuma amada Roxb.

Synonym	:	Curcuma amada var. glabra Velay.,Unnikr.Asha & Maya
Family	:	Zingiberaceae
Local name	:	English-Mango ginger
Flowering and fruiting period	:	June-August
Distribution	:	India
Uses	:	Its rhizomes are used to treat fever, throat pain, itching and skin diseases.
Key botanical characters: Rhizome 4-5.3 x 3-4 cm. light yellow inside, with the smell of green mango. Pseudostem 30-35 cm tall. Lamina of lower-leaves much smaller, c. 18 x 8 cm, upper larger, 45-60 x 14-15 cm, oblong, lanceolate, acuminate, base equal, closely pinnately veined, lower surface puberulous, upper glabrous, tip hairy. Inflorescence lateral or central; peduncle 20-22 cm long, spike 12-18 cm long. Coma bracts c. 6 x 2.5 cm, spreading, light violet. Fertile bracts c. 4 x 3.5 cm, orbicular-obtuse, slightly recurved, green. Bracteoles small. Flowers c. 5 cm long, 4-5 in each bract, pale yellow.