<P> Curcurma domestica Valeton </P> <P> Turmeric (Curcuma longa) (/ ˈtɜːrmərɪk /) is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae . It is native to Southeast Asia, and requires temperatures between 20 and 30 ° C (68--86 ° F) and a considerable amount of annual rainfall to thrive . Plants are gathered annually for their rhizomes and propagated from some of those rhizomes in the following season . </P> <P> When not used fresh, the rhizomes are boiled in water for about 30--45 minutes and then dried in hot ovens, after which they are ground into a deep - orange - yellow powder commonly used as a coloring and flavoring agent in many Asian cuisines, especially for curries, as well as for dyeing . Turmeric powder has a warm, bitter, pepper - like flavor and earthy, mustard - like aroma . </P> <P> Although long used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat various diseases, there is little high - quality clinical evidence for use of turmeric or its main constituent, curcumin, as a therapy . </P>

Which part of the plant turmeric is obtained