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Summary
Murraya koenigii,
The curry tree is a small evergreen tree prized for its highly aromatic leaves, which are an essential ingredient in many South Asian dishes, particularly in southern Indian cuisine. This plant is famous for its culinary and medicinal uses. The primary edible part of the curry tree is its leaves, which are widely used in cooking. The leaves are pungent and aromatic, making them a key ingredient in curries, chutneys, stews, and other dishes. In Indian cuisine, the leaves are often fried in ghee or oil until crisp before being added to curries, enhancing the dish’s flavour and aroma. Curry leaves retain their characteristic flavour even after drying. The dried leaves can be powdered and used in spice blends, offering a convenient way to store and use them. Fresh leaves are preferred for their robust flavour. The tree produces small, black fruits about 8-10 mm in diameter. These fruits have a peppery taste and are sometimes eaten.
Curry leaves also have medicinal value. They contain several active constituents, including a glycoside called Koenig, essential oils, and tannins. The leaves are known for improving appetite and aiding digestion, making them beneficial in both food and herbal remedies.
Curry trees are easy to grow. They thrive in full sun and can succeed in various soils, making them adaptable to different environments. Once established, curry trees are drought-tolerant. They should be protected from heavy frosts and strong winds. The plant spread easily through suckers and seeds, becoming invasive in certain areas. Leaves can be harvested about one year after planting; the primary production starts after three years. Curry trees are evergreen and will produce leaves year-round in warm climates, allowing for continuous harvesting. Regular pruning helps to promote bushier growth, which in turn leads to a more abundant leaf yield. To prevent the plant from becoming invasive, control its spread by managing suckers and carefully harvesting seeds.
The curry tree is native to South and Southeast Asia, particularly in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand.
Harvesting: Leaves are harvested throughout the year, typically from spring to autumn.
Physical Characteristics
Murraya koenigii is an evergreen Tree growing to 4 m (13ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Bergera koenigii L. Unresolved
Plant Habitats
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves Fruit Oil
Edible Uses: Oil
Leaves - cooked. The pungent, aromatic leaves are a common ingredient in curries, chutneys, stews etc[238 , 301 ]. Leaves are first fried in ghee or oil until crisp, then added to the curry. An indispensible ingredient in southern Indian curries[238 ]. The leaves retain their characteristic flavour and aroma even after drying[301 ]. The leaves dried and powdered and used in spice blends [1-4]. Leaves can be sun-dried and stored [1-4]. Another report says that the leaves are little know away from areas in which the plant is grown because the leaves lose their flavour upon being dried[238 ]. Fruit - a peppery flavour [272 , 301 ]. The black fruit is 8 - 10mm in diameter[200 , 238 ]. Curry plant (Helichrysum italicum) is a totally unrelated plant (an herbaceous annual of the Aster family) that has a curry-like aroma but is not recommended as a substitute for curry leaf in cooking [2-2].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Stomachic Febrifuge Antiinflammatory Tonic Antiemetic Stimulant Antidiarrhoeal Dysentery
Curry leaf contains several medically active constituents including a glycoside called koenigin, an essential oil and tannins[254 ]. It is a warming, strongly aromatic herb that improves appetite and digestion [238 ]. The leaves, roots and bark can all be used internally in the treatment of digestive problems [238 ]. It has been shown that the leaves increase digestive secretions and relieve nausea, indigestion and vomiting [254 ]. The leaves can be used internally in treating constipation, colic and diarrhoea [238 ]. The leaves are used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery [272 , 307 ]. The leaves can be applied externally as a poultice to treat burns and wounds [254 ]. The leaves are harvested as required and used fresh [238 ]. The roots and bark are harvested as required and can be used fresh or dried [238 ]. The juice of the fruit, mixed with lime juice (Citrus aurantiifolia) is applied to soothe insect bites and stings [254 ]. A paste made from the bark is applied to the bites of poisonous insects and other animals [272 ].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Containers Hedge Oil Hair Repellent Houseplant
Agroforestry Uses: Plants can be grown as a hedge [200 ]. Known for its aromatic leaves, making it beneficial for companion planting.
Other Uses: An oil is extracted from the ripe seeds [238 ]. An oil obtained from the leaves (essential oil?) is used in the soap industry [307 ]. The leaves are thought to be a hair tonic in India, where it is believed that they can prevent the hair greying [254 ]. The flowers are used to repel shrews [974 ]. Container plant - overwintered indoors in colder areas. An interesting house plant, the leaflets of which can be snipped for cooking [2-2]. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen:
Yes – The small, fragrant white flowers of the curry tree produce nectar and pollen, attracting pollinators like bees.
2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting):
Yes – The fruits are eaten by some birds, and the dense foliage can provide shelter and roosting sites. Leaf litter also supports insect life.
3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover):
Yes – The bark and leaf litter under the tree offer overwintering shelter for invertebrates.
4. Pest Confuser (Smell):
Yes – The aromatic leaves of the curry tree have a strong smell, which may act as a mild pest deterrent.
Special Uses
Hedge Food Forest
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
A small evergreen tree which with aromatic compound leaves growing 3-6m in height. Grows best in full sun [307 ]. A very easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils and situations [296 ]. Prefers a fertile, humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained, light soil [200 , 307 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 5 - 7 [418 ]. Leaves may drop in colder areas. Established plants are drought tolerant [307 ]. A plant of the moist tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,600 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 27 - 41°c, but can tolerate 8 - 47°c[418 ]. They will not tolerate heavy frosts. It prefers a mean annual rainfall of 1,400 - 1,800mm, but tolerates 500 - 2,500mm [418 ]. Plants can sucker freely and also spreads by seeds, so it can become invasive. Due to the vigorous suckering, plants are unsuitable for small gardens [307 ]. Best sited in locations sheltered from strong winds. Plants can be grown in overwintered indoor containers in colder climates, allowing soil to dry between waterings [2-2]. The leaves can be picked about one year after planting. Main production starts after about 3 years. 2-2.5 kg yields per square metre are possible [1-4]. The Curry tree is self-fertile. Leaves can be harvested throughout the year, typically from Spring to Autumn. The Curry tree flowers in Spring to Summer.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
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Plant Propagation
Seed. Division of suckers in the growing season. Very easy [296 ]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood [200 ]. A spacing of 3.5m is used.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Ar-pa-til, Asare, Bai karee, Ban-neem, Barsan, Barsanga, Basango, Bhursunga, Bishahari, Boke, Bokejanu no, Bokraitee, Bowala, Curryblatt, Curry bwlai, Curry patta, Daun kari, Dengjari, Duo ye jiu li xiang, Efinrin oso, Foglio di curry, Gandaela, Gandhela, Gandhla, Gandi, Gandla, Gangela, Gani, Goranimb, Hikandhi faiy, Hikandhi gas, Hoja de cari, Indian bay leaf, Jhirang, Ka li cai, Kadhilimbdo, Kadi patta, Kantrok samlor, Kantrook, Kara keeling, Karapincha, Karepaku, Karhinimb, Kari, Kariaphulli, Karibevu, Kari pata, Karipatta, Karipattar, Karivempu, Kariveppilei, Karpoolay, Karupillay, Karuvembu, Karuvepillai, Karuveppilei, Kathneem, Kathnim, Kattuveppilei, Konda karivepaku, Kurry patta, Kyaung-thwe, Ma jiao ye, Mechia sag, Meetha neem, Mithhalimb, Mitha-neem, Mitho nim, Mvuje, Nangken nyibumturum, Narashingha, Narasingha, Narasinha, Nolsing, Nwrsing, Poospala, Pyi-naw-thein, Pyindaw-thein, Pyin-taw-sein, Salam koja, Sam-khatsi, Surabhininiba, Sweet neem, Tejpatii, Thamsi-youngihabia, Thengsakso, Thenhskso [1-4].
Native Range
TEMPERATE ASIA: Guangdong Sheng, Hainan Sheng, Yunnan Sheng (south),China. TROPICAL ASIA: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Meghalaya, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan (north), India, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand (north), Vietnam,
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
A potential weed of riparian vegetation, forest margins, disturbed rainforests, urban bushland, waste areas and gardens.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Not Listed
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
(L.) Spreng.
Botanical References
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.
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Subject : Murraya koenigii
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