Eden

Penang Botanic Gardens Plant Collection

Murraya koenigii Spreng. (RUTACEAE)

Posted at — Nov 13, 2019
Curry Leaf Tree, Indian Curry Tree, Karapincha, Karwa Pale, Grupillai, Daun Kari

Description

Shrub or small evergreen tree to 4 m tall. Leaves pinnately compound with a terminal leaflet, 30 cm long with 11-21 dark green shiny leaflets. Flowers in terminal clusters, white, c. 1.1 cm across. Fruits a berry, globose to oblong, 1.4-1.6 cm long, green ripening orange-brown to black.

Ecology

Dry lowland forest to moist forest.

Distribution

Indian subcontinent to Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.

Uses

The sweet, curry-pungent foliage is often used to flavour curries. It is an indispensable ingredient in southern Indian curries. The plant is also attractive and planted as an ornamental.