Aframomum angustifolium

Aframomum angustifolium
Aframomum angustifolium fruit
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Zingiberales
Family:	Zingiberaceae
Genus:	Aframomum
Species:	A. angustifolium
Binomial name
Aframomum angustifolium (Sonn.) K.Schum.[1]
Synonyms[1]
Aframomum baumannii K.Schum. Aframomum sanguineum (K.Schum.) K.Schum. Aframomum sceleratum A.Chev. Amomum angustifolium Sonn. Amomum clusii Sm. Amomum madagascariense Lam. Amomum nemorosum Bojer Amomum sanguineum K.Schum. Amomum sansibaricum Werth Cardamomum angustifolium (Sonn.) Kuntze Cardamomum clusii (Sm.) Kuntze Cardamomum melegueta Kuntze Marogna paludosa Salisb. Zingiber meleguetta Gaertn.

Aframomum angustifolium, known as "wild cardamom" in English,[2] is a species in the ginger family Zingiberaceae that grows in tropical Africa and in Madagascar.[1]

Description

Aframomum angustifolium is herbaceous and like other plants of this family, its erect "stems" consist of layered tubular leaf bases. The fruit is a berry containing many seeds surrounded by sugary-sweet and sour edible pulp.

Etymology

The species name, angustifolium, means "narrow-leaved" in Latin.

In Madagascar, it is known as longoza, due to its use as a source of energy during long hunting treks (lona "long hours", and hoza "to experience diificulties").[3]

Uses

The plant's crushed seeds are used as a peppery spice.[2] The leaves are also used as disposable receptacles for eating rice.[3]

References

1. "Aframomum angustifolium (Sonn.) K.Schum". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2020-10-03.
2. Ruffo, Christopher K.; Birnie, Ann; Tengnäs, Bo (2002). Edible wild plants of Tanzania. Regional Land Management Unit/Sida. ISBN 9966-896-62-7.
3. Boiteau, Pierre (1999). "longoza". Dictionnaire des noms malgaches de végétaux (in French). Vol. III. Editions Alzieu – via Malagasy Dictionary and Malagasy Encyclopedia.