mango-ginger

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• mango-ginger
• Mango ginger

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Curcuma amada var. glabra

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Zingiberales, it is a member of the Zingiberaceae family. It is specifically classified under the genus Curcuma.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the vast landscapes of the Indian Subcontinent. Within this region, it is commonly found growing in both India and Bangladesh. Beyond the subcontinent, its natural range extends into the Indo-China peninsula. Specifically, it is indigenous to the tropical environments of Myanmar. Finally, the species also thrives within the diverse ecosystems of Thailand.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Curcuma longa is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons via its underground structures. As a geophyte, its survival strategy relies heavily on these specialized storage organs, which enable it to endure unfavorable environmental conditions. Furthermore, it is classified as a cryptophyte, meaning its essential regenerative parts remain protected beneath the soil surface during periods of dormancy, ensuring its continued development and long-term presence in its natural habitat.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Curcuma amada is characterized by a non-woody, herbaceous growth form that typically reaches a plant height with a mean of approximately 0.8 m. As a terrestrial plant, it grows independently of any host, functioning as a self-supporting organism rather than a climber. The structure is entirely non-woody, maintaining a soft, herbaceous constitution throughout its life cycle.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.8 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Curcuma longa (often referred to in botanical contexts as Curcuma amada or related turmeric species) is characterized by a complex metabolic system centered around its rhizomatous structure, which serves as the primary site for nutrient storage and the synthesis of bioactive curcuminoids. The plant undergoes a distinct life cycle involving vegetative growth driven by underground rhizomes that facilitate asexual reproduction and starch accumulation. Its photosynthetic processes are optimized for tropical environments, utilizing a C3 metabolic pathway to convert solar energy into chemical energy, which is subsequently partitioned between leaf development and rhizome expansion. Regarding its interaction with soil nutrients, the plant does not possess a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria; therefore, it is not a nitrogen fixer (trait_1: no). Instead, it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its fibrous root system to support its high metabolic demand for protein synthesis and enzymatic activity. The physiological regulation of its secondary metabolites is heavily influenced by environmental stressors, such as soil moisture and light intensity, which modulate the concentration of essential oils and polyphenolic compounds within its tissues.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Curcuma amada has 1 reported plant parts identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome.

Rhizome

1. European journal of medicinal chemistry
2. Journal of environmental pathology, toxicology and oncology : official organ of the International Society for Environmental Toxicology and Cancer
3. Indian journal of experimental biology
4. Journal of food biochemistry
5. Preparative biochemistry & biotechnology

Chemicals

Curcuma amada has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (E)-14-hydroxy-15-norlabda-8(17),12-dien-16-al, 2,3-Pentanediol, Flavonoids, polyphenols.

(E)-14-hydroxy-15-norlabda-8(17),12-dien-16-al

1. Fitoterapia

2,3-Pentanediol

1. Protoplasma

Flavonoids

1. Journal of food biochemistry

polyphenols

1. Journal of food biochemistry

Activities

Curcuma amada has 1 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiapoptotic.

Antiapoptotic

1. Journal of food biochemistry

Preparations

Curcuma amada has 5 reported preparations identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include rhizomes, Crude methanol extracts of the rhizomes, chloroform extract of rhizomes of Curcuma amada, hydro-methanol 60:40 of C. amada rhizome, plant extracts.

Rhizomes

1. Preparative biochemistry & biotechnology
2. Protoplasma

Crude methanol extracts of the rhizomes

1. Journal of environmental pathology, toxicology and oncology : official organ of the International Society for Environmental Toxicology and Cancer

Chloroform extract of rhizomes of curcuma amada

1. European journal of medicinal chemistry

Hydro-methanol 60:40 of c. amada rhizome

1. Journal of food biochemistry

Plant extracts

1. Biomolecules