MORPHOLOGY, GROWTH AND FLOWERING BEHAVIOR OF CURCUMA ZEDOARIA

Curcuma species are tropical crops used as cut flowers, landscape plants and speciality potted plants. Among this group, the beautiful inflorescence and luxurious foliage of C. zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe (a traditional source of Zedoary spice, tonic, and perfume) has potential in floriculture. General aspects of plant morphology, growth and flowering of this species, growing under Hawaiian conditions, are reported. Zedoary is a herbaceous and rhizomatous perennial plant composed of an upright pseudostem, a corm (an ovate rhizome), underground cylindrical branches or rhizomes (that develop up to the third order when fully matured), and fleshy roots. Some roots develop terminal storage structures (rounded to elongate tuber-like roots called t-roots). Active axillary buds are on the lower side of the corm and branches. From March to April axillary buds of the corm and apical buds of the third order rhizomes emerge above ground as inflorescences. This basal flower spike will grow about 30 cm tall and appears just before the foliage. On the node closest to the flower spike, a vegetative shoot always develops. No additional floral buds sprout, but more vegetative shoots develop. On corms of recently formed aerial shoots, new branches start to develop. By autumn, the above-ground foliage dies back. From November to December storage roots are formed, having a high (>70%) carbohydrate content. Sketches and photos illustrate the branching pattern and morphological plant structures.

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