Amomum

Amomum
Amomum subulatum (black cardamom)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Zingiberaceae
Subfamily: Alpinioideae
Tribe: Alpinieae
Genus: Amomum
Roxb.
Species

See list of Amomum species

Synonyms
  • Elettariopsis Baker
  • Torymenes Salisb., without description
  • Zedoaria Raf.
  • Geocallis Horan.
  • Cardamomum Rumph. ex Kuntze
  • Conamomum Ridl.
  • Paramomum S.Q.Tong

Amomum is a genus of plants native to China, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, New Guinea, and Queensland. It includes several species of cardamom, especially black cardamom. Plants of this genus are remarkable for their pungency and aromatic properties.

Among ancient writers, the name amomum was ascribed to various odoriferous plants that cannot be positively identified today. The word derives from Latin amomum, which is the latinisation of the Greek ἄμωμον (amomon), a kind of an Indian spice plant. Edmund Roberts noted on his 1834 trip to China that amomum was used as a spice to "season sweet dishes" in culinary practice.

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