black cardamom

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• black cardamom
• black cardamom
• large cardamom
• Bengal cardamom
• Indian cardamom
• Nepal cardamom
• greater cardamom
• hill cardamom
• winged cardamom

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cardamomum subulatum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Zingiberales, it is a member of the Zingiberaceae family. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Amomum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, it can be found throughout the South-Central and Southeast territories, as well as in the high-altitude areas of Tibet. Its presence extends into the Indian Subcontinent, specifically within the state of Assam. Additionally, the species is documented to grow within the borders of Bangladesh. Together, these locations highlight the diverse ecological range occupied by Amomum subulatum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Amomum subulatum is characterized by its distribution across specific altitudinal gradients within its native montane habitats. This species thrives within a defined elevational range, establishing itself at altitudes starting from a minimum of 700 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 2100 m AMSL. This vertical distribution suggests an adaptability to varying atmospheric pressures, temperature fluctuations, and moisture levels typical of mid-to-high elevation ecosystems. Such a range indicates that the plant occupies diverse ecological niches, likely ranging from lower montane forests to subalpine zones, where it interacts with specific soil compositions and climatic patterns unique to these varying elevations.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

700 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Amomum subulatum is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. It functions as a geophyte, storing its essential nutrients and regenerative structures underground to survive unfavorable environmental conditions. This survival strategy is further supported by its classification as a cryptophyte, meaning its vital organs are protected beneath the soil surface, ensuring its continued development and long-term presence within its ecological niche.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Amomum subulatum is characterized by a growth form classified as a herb, exhibiting a non-woody structure. This species is a self-supporting plant, meaning it does not function as a liana or vine, and it maintains an independent life cycle without acting as a parasite. As a terrestrial organism, it does not exhibit aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a mean height of approximately 1 meter.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Amomum subulatum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency within its natural habitat. As a plant utilizing the C3 cycle, it relies on the enzyme RuBisCO to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide directly into organic compounds during the Calvin cycle, a process that typically occurs under moderate environmental conditions. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds available in the soil.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Amomum subulatum has 3 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, seed, rhizome.

Fruit

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
2. Journal of food biochemistry

Seed

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Frontiers in chemistry

Rhizome

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Chemicals

Amomum subulatum has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,8-Cineole, Flavonoids, ASCARIDOLE, CARVACROL, Phenols.

1,8-Cineole

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Nutrients

Flavonoids

1. Journal of food science and technology
2. Frontiers in plant science

ASCARIDOLE

1. Frontiers in plant science

CARVACROL

1. Frontiers in plant science

Phenols

1. Frontiers in plant science

Pinocarvone

1. Frontiers in plant science

SAPONIN

1. Frontiers in chemistry

Steroids

1. Frontiers in plant science

Tannin

1. Frontiers in chemistry

catechins

1. Journal of chromatographic science

Activities

Amomum subulatum has 3 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anticancer.

Antimicrobial

1. Current pharmaceutical design
2. Journal of food science and technology

Antioxidant

1. Journal of food science and technology
2. Journal of food biochemistry

Anticancer

1. Journal of food science and technology

Medicinal Uses

Amomum subulatum has 13 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium, alcoholic liver disease.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations