Amomum ovoideum is a widespread shade-demanding rhizomatous herb of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) native to Southeast Asia. The plant bears fruits up to 2 cm (0.79 in) long, covered by slender, soft, red spines. When dried, the fruit produces cardamom seedpods similar to other cardamom spice plants.
| Amomum ovoideum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Zingiberales |
| Family: | Zingiberaceae |
| Genus: | Amomum |
| Species: | A. ovoideum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Amomum ovoideum Pierre ex Gagnep.
| |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Distribution
editA. ovoideum is associated with dense and semi-dense forest habitats in Southeast Asia and is found growing in the wild in Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia.[1][2]
The habitat of A. ovoideum is mainly lowland evergreen and deciduous forests, but also in evergreen montane forests; it has been observed growing at 30 to 1,550 m (98 to 5,085 ft) above sea level.[3]
In northern Laos, it is one of the most commonly found Amomum species along with A. villosum, and is locally known as "green cardamom".[4] In Cambodia, it is known as krakao and in Thailand as reo daeng.[5]
Uses
editA. ovoideum is considered a nontimber forest product in most of its range. In Laos and Cambodia, the fruits and seeds are collected and used both in traditional medicine and cooking.[4] In traditional Cambodian medicine, it is used to treat respiratory problems and digestive disorders.[6]
Generally, the plant is mostly harvested for its fruits and seeds on a seasonal basis only. In some areas, however, the entire plant is harvested; the rhizome is consumed and leaves are occasionally used for temporary shelters.[1] The whole plant is sometimes used in traditional medicine, such as post partum saunas.[3]
Conservation
editA. ovoideum is generally not considered as a threatened species. However, several activities in larger parts of its range strain it and it is a species in decline.
The direct harvest of the plant, usually only comprises the fruit and seeds, but occasionally the whole plant is harvested.[3]
In Southeast Asia, herbal medicines and culinary plants are in high local demand and important for the local economies. This has led to a general overharvest of wild plants in the region. With the addition of a heavy deforestation (present and past) in all of Southeast Asia, a strain has been put on many wild-growing medicinal and aromatic plants. In the 2000s, this situation led to a large-scale project of introducing sustainable wild harvesting by the FairWild Foundation, known as the ISSC-MAP system. This project also comprises A. ovoidenum in Cambodia. Local wild-harvesters and producers benefits by learning improved techniques, which in turn enhance product quality and market value.[6][7]
References
edit- ^ a b c See Useful Tropical Plants.
- ^ Note: There are some incoherencies about the species distribution. Some sources only mention Indo-China. See eMonocot: "Amomum ovoideum Pierre ex Gagnep. Archived 2016-11-18 at the Wayback Machine"
- ^ a b c See IUCN
- ^ a b See "Cultivating and collecting Cardamom".
- ^ "Sorting Amomum names". University of Melbourne. Archived from the original on 11 April 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ a b "The First Asian Plant Conservation Report" (PDF). Chinese National Committee for DIVERSITAS. 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 November 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ "Saving Plants that Save Lives and Livelihoods – Project highlights". TRAFFIC. Archived from the original on 18 November 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
Further reading
edit- Leong-Skornickova, J.; Tran, H.D.; Newman, M.; Lamxay, V.; Bouamanivong, S. (2019). "Wurfbainia uliginosa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T202229A132696153. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T202229A132696153.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- "Amomum uliginosum". Useful Tropical Plants. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- The Plant List: Amomum ovoideum Pierre ex Gagnep
- Trond Kvitvik (2001): Cultivating and collecting Cardamom (Amomum spp.) and other NTFP's in Muang Long District, Luang Namtha Province, Lao PDR.
External links
edit- Encyclopedia Of Life: Amomum ovoideum. Herbaria images.