TURMERIC; a genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the monandria class of plants. The species are,

1. The rotunda, with a round root, hath a fleshy-jointed root like that of ginger, but rounder; which sends up several spear-shaped oval leaves, which rise upwards of a foot high, and of a sea-green colour. From between these arises the flower-stalk, supporting a loose spike of flowers of a pale-yellowish colour, inclosed in several different spathe, or sheaths, which drop off. The flowers are never succeeded by seeds in this country. 2. The longa, hath long fleshy roots of a deep yellow colour, which spread under the surface of the ground like those of ginger; they are about the thickness of a man's finger, having many round knotty circles, from which arise four or five large spear-shaped leaves, standing upon long foot-stalks. The flowers grow in loose leafy spikes on the top of the foot-stalks, which arise from the larger knobs of the roots, and grow about a foot high; they are of a yellowish-red colour, and shaped somewhat like those of the Indian reed.

These plants grow naturally in India, from whence the roots are brought to Europe for use. They are very tender; so will not live in this country unless kept constantly in a stove. They are propagated by parting the roots. The root communicates a beautiful but perishable yellow dye, with alum, to woolen, cotton, or linen. In medicine it is esteemed aperient, and emmenagogic; and of singular efficacy in the jaundice.