cardamom

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Cardamom
• Cardamon
• Green Cardamom

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cardamomum officinale
• Alpinia cardamomum
• Zingiber minus
• Amomum ensal
• Amomum cardamomum
• Matonia cardamomum
• Amomum uncinatum
• Cardamomum malabaricum
• Zingiber cardamomum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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 a member of the Zingiberaceae family. Finally, its specific taxonomic classification is placed within the genus Elettaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several tropical regions. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it is naturally found in both India and Bangladesh. Its presence extends into the Indo-China region, specifically inhabiting the landscapes of Cambodia and Thailand. Additionally, the species can be found in the Western Indian Ocean on the island of Réunion. Together, these locations highlight the wide range of environments where the species thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Elettaria cardamomum is characterized by a highly specialized habitat preference, thriving within specific montane environments. This species is primarily found within a narrow altitudinal belt, occupying an elevational range that extends from a minimum of 1300 m AMSL to a maximum of 1400 m AMSL. This restricted vertical distribution suggests a dependency on the particular microclimatic conditions, such as temperature stability and moisture levels, found within this specific highland niche.

Elevational range max:

1400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1300 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Elettaria cardamomum is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its biological structure and survival strategy, it is classified as a geophyte, relying on underground storage organs to endure varying environmental conditions. Furthermore, it exhibits a cryptophyte life form, where its regenerative buds are protected beneath the soil surface or within specialized structures, ensuring its continued growth and resilience over its extended lifespan.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Elettaria cardamomum is characterized by a non-woody, herbaceous growth form that functions as a self-supporting plant. It is a terrestrial species that does not exhibit epiphytic or parasitic tendencies, maintaining an independent life cycle. The plant typically reaches an average height of approximately 3 meters. As a self-supporting herb, it lacks the climbing mechanisms of lianas or vines, instead maintaining a structural integrity that relies on its own vegetative mass rather than external support.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Elettaria cardamomum is characterized by its specific metabolic processes and nutrient acquisition strategies. The plant utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a process where the first stable product of carbon fixation is a three-carbon molecule, which is typical for many shade-loving tropical understory species. In terms of nutrient cycling, Elettaria cardamomum is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the availability of nitrogen in the soil through root uptake rather than through symbiotic associations with nitrogen-fixing bacteria to satisfy its nutritional requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Elettaria cardamomum is characterized by a complex biological process driven primarily by biotic mechanisms. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, relying on living organisms to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Specifically, the pollination process is mediated by insects, with ants playing a notable role in the reproductive cycle. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a lack of self-fertilization, meaning it requires cross-pollination to achieve successful sexual reproduction and genetic diversity.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

ant

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Elettaria cardamomum has 2 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed, flower.

Seed

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of medicinally active plants
3. Food additives & contaminants. Part A, Chemistry, analysis, control, exposure & risk assessment

Flower

1. Journal of medicinally active plants

Chemicals

Elettaria cardamomum has 145 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,8-Cineole, Borneol, LIMONENE, Linalool, (+)-Limonene.

1,8-Cineole

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Journal of oleo science

Borneol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biomolecules

LIMONENE

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biomolecules

Linalool

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biomolecules

(+)-Limonene

1. Dr. Duke

(+)-alpha-Terpineol

1. Dr. Duke

(1R,4R)-(+)-CAMPHOR

1. Journal of oleo science

1,4-Cineole

1. Dr. Duke

4-hydroxy benzoic acid

1. Dr. Duke

ABA

1. Frontiers in plant science

Activities

Elettaria cardamomum has 511 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Androgenic, Anticancer.

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Current topics in medicinal chemistry
4. AMB Express

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
4. Food science & nutrition

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Food additives & contaminants. Part A, Chemistry, analysis, control, exposure & risk assessment

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Estrogenic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Food additives & contaminants. Part A, Chemistry, analysis, control, exposure & risk assessment

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Elettaria cardamomum has 24 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include COPD, COVID-19, E. coli, Fungal infections, NAFLD.

Copd

1. Tanaffos

Covid-19

1. Infection and drug resistance

E. coli

1. AMB Express

Fungal infections

1. Life (Basel, Switzerland)

Nafld

1. Trials

Asthma

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Atopic dermatitis

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Blood pressure

1. Blood pressure

Cancer

1. Biomolecules

Cardiac disorders

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Elettaria cardamomum has 12 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include essential oil, Essential Oil, alcohol extracts, aqueous extracts, essential oils.

Essential oil

1. Life (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Cureus

Essential oil

1. Life (Basel, Switzerland)

Alcohol extracts

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Aqueous extracts

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Essential oils

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Ethanolic extract

1. European review for medical and pharmacological sciences

Ether extracts

1. Journal of oleo science

Headspace gases

1. Journal of oleo science

Seeds

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Steam distillates

1. Journal of oleo science