Curcuma longa is a versatile plant in the garden. Not only is it a medicinal edimental, but an attractive, shade tolerant tropical perennial that is ground hardy to zone 7b (5-10F). The pink cone shaped flowers are a welcome sight in the middle of summer. In their native habitats, Curcuma longa emerges during the monsoon season and are triggered to become dormant by dry weather. This roughly corresponds to the winter/summer cycle in temperate gardens. Curcuma longa rhizomes are dried and ground