Curry Leaf

Other names

Karapincha, Curry Leaf Tree

Growth habit

Tree

Perennation

Cultivated as annual

Native distribution

China, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Laos, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam

Location

Robison Herb Garden

Source of plant

Well-Sweep Herb Farm

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.

USDA Hardiness Zone

10

Special characteristics

food, tender perennial