Amomum ovoideum

Amomum ovoideum is a widespread shade-demanding rhizomatous herb of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) native to Southeast Asia. It is perennial, producing leafy stems up to 3 m (9.8 ft) tall from a subterranean, long, and much-branched rhizome. 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]
  • Amomum uliginosum J.Koenig
  • Amomum robustum K.Schum.
  • Cardamomum uliginosum (J.Koenig) Kuntze
  • Wurfbainia uliginosa (J.Koenig) Giseke

Distribution

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

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

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.

Deforestation for expanding agriculture is the major threat for A. ovoideum. Logging in part of its range is reducing the crucial shade needed for it to thrive. The direct harvest of the plant, usually only comprises the fruit and seeds, but occasionally the whole plant is harvested. Some threat may exist from the overcollection of seeds, causing a loss in genetic variability.[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
  1. 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. See IUCN
  4. See "Cultivating and collecting Cardamom".
  5. "Sorting Amomum names". University of Melbourne. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  6. "The First Asian Plant Conservation Report" (PDF). Chinese National Committee for DIVERSITAS. 2010. Retrieved 17 November 2016. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. "Saving Plants that Save Lives and Livelihoods – Project highlights". TRAFFIC. Retrieved 17 November 2016.

Further reading
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