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 Edit this 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]
  • Amomum uliginosum J.Koenig
  • Amomum robustum K.Schum.
  • Cardamomum uliginosum (J.Koenig) Kuntze
  • Wurfbainia uliginosa (J.Koenig) Giseke

Distribution

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A. 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

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A. 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

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A. 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

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  1. ^ a b c See Useful Tropical Plants.
  2. ^ 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"
  3. ^ a b c See IUCN
  4. ^ a b See "Cultivating and collecting Cardamom".
  5. ^ "Sorting Amomum names". University of Melbourne. Archived from the original on 11 April 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  6. ^ 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)
  7. ^ "Saving Plants that Save Lives and Livelihoods – Project highlights". TRAFFIC. Archived from the original on 18 November 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.

Further reading

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