Plant 6 Murraya koenigii

Discover the Curry Leaf Tree, a fragrant shrub whose leaves are widely used in Indian cooking and have medicinal properties.

Last updated 23 June 2026

Curry Leaf Tree

Murraya koenigii

Name	Synonyms: Curry Leaf Tree, Daun Kari, Indian Kari Tree, Curry Bush, Karapincha, Karwa Pale, Garupillai, Kerupula Chinese Name: 咖哩叶, 调料九里香, 麻绞叶
Plant Growth Form	Shrub (woody)
Maximum Height	2.5 m
Preferred Climate Zone	India to Indochina

Description:

Dense green fern-like shrub with feathery compound leaves growing along a concrete curb edge.

Growth Form: Shrub up to 2.5 m tall.

Foliage: Compound, odd-pinnate 30 cm-long leaves are composed of 11-21 shiny, dark green, lance-shaped leaflets (4.9 cm long, 1.8 cm wide). Leaflets have slightly toothed edges. The leaflet is attached to the leaf stalk forming the main axis of the leaf by a 0.5 cm-long, reddish petiole in alternate to sub-opposite arrangement. Leaves are highly aromatic when rubbed or crushed.

Stems: Stems are dark green to brown, with numerous dots.

Flowers: White, funnel-shaped, 5-lobed flowers have a sweet fragrance (1.1 cm wide). Flowers are arranged in clusters (called as cyme) at the terminal. Fruits: Black, glossy fruits are round to oblong (1.4-1.6 cm long, 1-1.2 cm wide). Each fruit contains a single, dark green seed (11 mm long, 8 mm wide) which takes up half the volume of the fruit. The pulp is edible, rich in Vitamin C and tastes sweet.

Habitat: Found in moist forests, evergreen and deciduous forests.

Cultivation: Plant can be propagated by seed. Sow seeds immediately after harvesting (seeds are viable up to 3 weeks).

Ethnobotanical Uses: Edible Plant Parts (Edible Leaves) Food (Herb & Spice: The leaves are used to flavour and enhance aroma in Indian curries.) Medicinal (The essential oil found in the leaves and seeds have antibacterial and anti-fungal activity.)