Curcuma is the scientific name for turmeric, a spice commonly used in cooking and traditional medicine. It is a tropical Asian tuberous plant of the genus Curcuma, such as C. longa, which is the source of turmeric, and C. zedoaria, which is the source of zedoary. The word "curcuma" is derived from the Arabic word "kurkum," which means saffron or turmeric. In English, curcuma is commonly referred to as turmeric.