1. Ga8tbochilus.] 92. ZINGIBER AC EM. [ 2. Cubcuma. 



variegated red with very long stalk-like perianth- tube, aris- 

 ing from a few flowered spike. 



Singbhum jungleB along muddy streams. Fls. JuncBept. 



Petioles 12" deeply channeled or almost winged above. Spikes very 

 short lateral or from the centre of the leaves. Perianth-tube bright red 

 3-4'' long. Petals white glistening oblong 1-1±''. Lat. staminodes at 

 long, spathulate obtuse. Lip very large ventricose sub-orbicular entire 

 2'' long. 



3, Curcuma, L. 



Herbs with radical leaves or a short stem composed of 

 leaf -sheaths. Jthizome often bearing tubers at the ends ol 

 long fleshy roots, or tubers sessile. Comose spikes indepen- 

 dent of, or arising from the centre of, the leaf -sheathe. 

 Lower bracts, membranous bearing several flowers succes- 

 sively. Corolla-tube funnel-shaped. Lateral staminodes 

 oblong connate with the short filament. Lip orbicular. 

 Anther-cells spurred. 



The tubers of many species are rich in starch and are used 

 for food. 



I. Bracts of coma pink or purple, sometimes very pale. 



A. Flowering spike distinct from the pseudo- 



stem, usually developed before it. 



Tuber* yellow inside. Fls. shorter than the bracts. 

 L. broad silky beneath ... .1. aromatica* 



Tubers grey inside. Fls. as long or nearly as long 

 as the bracts. L. oblong with a purple 

 cloud, glabrous 2. coetia. 



Tubers white inside. Fls. longer than the bracts. 

 L. oblong "with dark-red mid-rib beneath" 

 (Train) glabrous . . ... . .3. ru&Mcens. 



B. Flowering Bpike central from the pseudostem. 



Tubers deep yellow inside , . . . 4. longa. 



Tubers pale yellow inside . • . . .5. Amada. 

 1L Bracts of coma orange or yellow . . . ,6. reclinata. 



The above key is mainly from Prain's " Bengal Plants." The species 

 aromatica, longa and Amada are cultivated. Curcuma aromatica 



