| 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. | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Aframomum angustifolium, known as "wild cardamom" in English, is a species in the ginger family Zingiberaceae that grows in tropical Africa and in Madagascar.
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").
Uses
The plant's crushed seeds are used as a peppery spice. The leaves are also used as disposable receptacles for eating rice.
References
- ^ "Aframomum angustifolium (Sonn.) K.Schum". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2020-10-03.
- ^ Ruffo, Christopher K.; Birnie, Ann; Tengnäs, Bo (2002). Edible wild plants of Tanzania. Regional Land Management Unit/Sida. ISBN 9966-896-62-7.
- ^ Boiteau, Pierre (1999). "longoza". Dictionnaire des noms malgaches de végétaux (in French). Vol. III. Editions Alzieu – via Malagasy Dictionary and Malagasy Encyclopedia.
| Taxon identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Aframomum angustifolium | |
| Amomum angustifolium | |
 | This Zingiberales-related article is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it. |