Curcuma

Turmeric rhizomes

Description

Any of various Old World plants belonging to the genus Curcuma. Curcuma is used to produce a yellow, water-soluble dye. Most often the name has been used synonymously with turmeric, but it may also refer to crocus, and saffron.

Synonyms and Related Terms

turmeric; saffron; crocus; cúrcuma (Esp.); curcuma (It., Port.)

Authority

• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 184

• Ralph Mayer, A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques, Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)