Hill Turmeric (Curcuma pseudomontana) is a tall 60 to 70cm perennial native to the Western Ghats which is commonly found in forested slopes. The attractive bright yellow flowers are borne among mauve-purple bracts.

This member of the ginger family has small almond like tubers at the root. The aromatic tubers are fleshy and white inside and are commonly eaten by porcupine and wild boar. Flowers sometimes appear before the leaves grow, attracting the Grass Demon butterfly to this important food plant.

In Ayurveda, the roots are effective medicine for leprosy, skin diseases, general debility and cardiac diseases.