As we`ve got 2 Thai Tulips (Siam Tulip) Curcuma Emerald Chocozebra we never thought, that we will have to research more then 3 years to identify the Curcuma hybrid.

At the beginning we`ve got absolutely no results, as it was the time whilst the “Curcuma mania” started in Thailand. In the second year we`ve found a few more new hybrids and finally we could find a name for the hybrid with the greenish blossom. It has been called Curcuma hybrid DT585 and we just thought, what a disappointing name for such an outstanding plant. Our DT585 bloomed the second time already, but as we didn`t like the name, we decided not to publish an article about this beautiful tropical plant. In the third year, while the rain season began already in our home town Chiang Mai, North Thailand, we`ve been astonished about the big choice of new Curcuma hybrids at our local Thai market and finally we could find a new name, nowadays used in trade, for the DT585. Curcuma Emerald Chocozebra is at last a describing name for this beautiful hybrid. Fortunatly we could also find a bit more information about the tropical plant, which belongs to the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). Curcuma Emerald Chocozebra has been developed by the Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage (MFLF) at Doi Tung, Chiang Rai, North Thailand and seem to be a crossing from the Curcuma species plant Curcuma alismatifolia and a hybrid from Curcuma rhabdota x harmandii.

In the last years Curcuma plants, species as well as hybrids, became very popular especially in Thailand, but also in other parts of the world. As cut-flowers, the blossoms last until about 1 month, they are used in our home country Thailand as offerings for Lord Buddha and Buddhist monks, as well as for exotic flower decorations and flower boquets. The blossoms of Curcuma Emerald Chocozebra get a length of about 15-18 cm.
Flowering period: end of July - beginning of October.

Flower Photography © Orchids Flowers.com
Image: Thai Tulip Curcuma Emerald Chocozebra
Photographer: Kitisak (Nat) Jaidee

Siam Tulips (Curcuma) species and hybrids at Orchids Flowers.com:

Curcuma cordata Jewel of Thailand

Curcuma Emerald Chocozebra

Curcuma Gingerstar Red Torch

Curcuma sparganifolia Pink Pearl Greentop