Aframomum citratum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cardamomum citratum
• Amomum macrolepis
• Amomum citratum

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Zingiberales, it is classified under the family Zingiberaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Aframomum, specifically as the species citratum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern concentrated within the tropical regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is notably documented in Nigeria. Moving into the West-Central Tropical Africa zone, the species can be found in Cameroon. Its range further extends through West-Central Tropical Africa to include Equatorial Guinea. Finally, the geographical footprint of this medicinal plant encompasses Gabon as well.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Aframomum citratum is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a member of the ginger family, its biological structure is classified under the life forms of both a geophyte and a cryptophyte, indicating that its vital organs are protected underground, typically within rhizomatous structures. This survival strategy enables the plant to endure unfavorable environmental conditions by maintaining its energy reserves beneath the soil surface, ensuring its long-term presence within its natural habitat.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Aframomum citratum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, typically existing as a terrestrial plant that grows independently without parasitic tendencies. It functions as a self-supporting species rather than an obligatory or facultative climber. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits a variable height, with an average height of approximately 2 meters, though it can reach a maximum height of about 3.05 meters.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3.048037064 m

Plant height mean:

2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Aframomum citratum is characterized by its specialized metabolic processes and nutritional strategies common to the Zingiberaceae family. As a perennial herb, its physiological activity is heavily reliant on efficient nutrient uptake and carbon assimilation through its leaf structures. Regarding its interaction with soil nutrients, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms. Consequently, its nitrogen-fixation status is recorded as no, meaning it must rely on the absorption of nitrates and ammonium from the soil substrate to support its protein synthesis and enzymatic functions. Its physiological vigor is further driven by a robust rhizomatous system, which facilitates the storage of carbohydrates and essential secondary metabolites, ensuring survival through varying environmental conditions and supporting the plant's overall growth cycles.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Aframomum citratum has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 4-Caffeoylquinic acid, 5-caffeoylshikimic acid, CHLOROGENIC ACID, Flavonoid, Flavonoids.

4-Caffeoylquinic acid

1. ACS omega

5-caffeoylshikimic acid

1. ACS omega

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Food & function

Flavonoid

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoids

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Homoisoflavanone

1. ACS omega

Naringenin-7-O-glucoside

1. ACS omega

PIMARIC ACID

1. Food & function

Phenols

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Tannins

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Activities

Aframomum citratum has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Nutrients
2. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Aframomum citratum has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include bacterial infections, inflammation, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Bacterial infections

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Inflammation

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Obesity

1. Food & function

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

1. Metabolites

Preparations

Aframomum citratum has 5 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts, Cameroonian medicinal spice extracts, hydro-alcoholic extracts, methanol extracts, spice extracts.

Extracts

1. Metabolites
2. Food & function

Cameroonian medicinal spice extracts

1. Nutrients

Hydro-alcoholic extracts

1. Nutrients

Methanol extracts

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Spice extracts

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)