Curry Leaf

Description

Small tree, c. 3.5 m tall, branches pubescent. Leaves imparipinnate; leaflets 9-27, 20-50 x 11-28 mm, ovate to ovate-lanceolate or orbicular, oblique, acute to obtuse, apex retuse, margin irregularly crenulate. Flowers white, in terminal, branched cymes. Calyx lobes 5, triangular. Petals 7 mm, linear-oblong, glandular. Ovary 2 locular, ovules 1(-2) in each locule; style short; stigma captitate. Berry ovoid, 1 x 6 mm, black when ripe. Fl. Per.: April-June. Fr. Per.: June-Aug. Distribution: Along the foothills of Himalayas in India and Pakistan, Assam to Siam, China, Ceylon. Not commonly found in the wild state. The ‘curry leaf’ is frequently cultivated in gardens. Leaves are used as a condiment to flavour curries.