Aframomum angustifolium

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]

Aframomum angustifolium
Aframomum angustifolium fruit
Scientific classification Edit this 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.

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

It 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. The crushed seeds are also 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.


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