Curcuma alismatifolia

Curcuma alismatifolia, Siam tulip or summer tulip (Thai: ปทุมมา, RTGS: pathumma; กระเจียวบัว, RTGS: krachiao bua; ขมิ้นโคก, RTGS: khamin khok) is a tropical plant native to Laos, northern Thailand, and Cambodia.^[2][3] Despite its name, it is not related to the tulip, but is a close relative of turmeric. It can grow as an indoor plant. It is a perennial herb growing up to 2 feet (0.61 metres) tall.^[4]

Siam tulip
Conservation status
Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Zingiberales
Family:	Zingiberaceae
Genus:	Curcuma
Species:	C. alismatifolia
Binomial name
Curcuma alismatifolia Gagnep.
Synonyms[2]
Hitcheniopsis alismatifolia (Gagnep.) Loes. in H.G.A.Engler

A field of wild Siam tulips in Pa Hin Ngam National Park, Thailand

Malvidin 3-rutinoside is a pigment responsible for bract color in C. alismatifolia.^[5]

References

1. Leong-Skornickova, J.; Tran, H.D.; Newman, M.; Lamxay, V. & Bouamanivong, S. (2019). "Curcuma alismatifolia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T201883A132687665. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
2. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
3. Sirirugsa, P., Larsen, K. & Maknoi, C. (2007). The genus Curcuma L. (Zingiberaceae): distribution and classification with reference to species diversity in Thailand. Gardens' Bulletin Singapore 59: 203-220.
4. "Curcuma alismatifolia 'Pink' - Plant Finder". www.missouribotanicalgarden.org. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
5. Nakayama, M; Roh, MS; Uchida, K; Yamaguchi, Y; Takano, K; Koshioka, M (2000). "Malvidin 3-rutinoside as the pigment responsible for bract color in Curcuma alismatifolia". Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry. 64 (5): 1093–5. doi:10.1271/bbb.64.1093. PMID 10879491. S2CID 24070068.