Curcuma zedoaria aka Zedoary

Curcuma zedoaria is a perennial herb in the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. Its common names include zedoary, round zedoary, and white turmeric. Kew places its native range from the eastern Himalaya to Assam. Long cultivation has made its origins harder to trace. It is a home-garden crop in southeast Asia. Growers also raise it for spice, medicine, and garden display.

The plant forms clumps from an underground rhizome. Upright pseudostems reach about 2.5 feet (0.75 metres) tall. Each pseudostem carries about five leaves. Their blades measure roughly 1.1 feet (0.35 metres) long. They reach about 0.43 feet (0.13 metres) wide. The flowers are yellow, as shown in the source's caption. The supplied accounts give no flowering season or fruit details.

Zedoary grows in damp forests that shed their leaves. It suits hot, humid conditions in the lowland tropics. It also grows at heights near 2,950 feet (900 metres). Its best daytime temperature range is 22–27°C. The reported tolerance range extends from 14°C to 32°C. These figures do not establish frost hardiness. It prefers shade, though it can grow in full sun. Soil should drain well, with a preferred pH of 5.5–6.5. It tolerates a wider pH range of 5–7.5. Its forest habitat includes dry spells linked to the monsoon. Growers can divide the rhizomes while the plant rests. Fresh seed offers another means of propagation. Rhizomes reach harvest stage about 300 days after planting.

Several parts have food uses. The leaves add a flavour like lemongrass to dishes. People eat the rhizome raw or cooked. Young slices from its upper part go into salads. Dried rhizome serves as a spice. It also yields a starch known as shoti. This starch has uses like those of arrowroot. People eat the tender centres of young shoots raw or cooked. They also cook the flower clusters before eating them.

The rhizome has a history of use for digestive complaints. These uses include indigestion, nausea, gas, and bloating. Such records describe traditional use, not proof of safe treatment. The rhizome also supplies essential oil for perfumes and medicinal products. Useful Tropical Plants lists no known hazards for the species. That statement does not establish safety for pets or every use. The supplied sources name no specific pests or diseases.