Tsao-ko Cardamom

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Tsao-ko Cardamom

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Amomum tsao-ko
• Amomum hongtsaoko

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 classified under the family Zingiberaceae and the genus Lanxaniga.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution spanning several regions across East and Southeast Asia. Within China, it can be found growing in the South-Central territories as well as the Southeast regions. Its range extends further into the Indo-China peninsula to reach the country of Laos. Additionally, the species is documented to inhabit various parts of Vietnam. Together, these locations define the natural habitat where Lanxangia tsao-ko is typically located.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Lanxangia tsao-ko is characterized by a specialized survival strategy categorized under two distinct life form classifications: it functions as a geophyte and a cryptophyte. As a geophyte, the plant relies on underground storage organs, such as rhizomes or tubers, to endure unfavorable environmental conditions or seasonal Dormancy, allowing it to regenerate when conditions become optimal. Complementing this, its classification as a cryptophyte indicates that its perennating buds are located below the soil surface or at the very base of the substrate, protecting the vital regenerative tissues from desiccation, extreme temperature fluctuations, and herbivory. This dual life form strategy enables the plant to persist in its specific ecological niche by sequestering nutrients and energy underground, ensuring a robust seasonal regrowth cycle.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Lanxiangia tsao-ko is characterized by its growth habit as a self-supporting climber, utilizing its structural form to navigate its environment without the need for external host attachment. It functions as an independent organism, showing no parasitic tendencies, and maintains a terrestrial existence rather than growing as an epiphyte. Structurally, the plant is non-woody, possessing a flexible and herbaceous composition that lacks significant lignification.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lanxangia tsao-ko has 1 reported plant parts identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Bioorganic chemistry
2. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
3. Phytochemistry
4. Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)
5. Spectrochimica acta. Part A, Molecular and biomolecular spectroscopy

Chemicals

Lanxangia tsao-ko has 37 reported phytochemicals identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (E)-2-Octenal, 1,8-Cineole, Esters, Eucalyptol, (+)-Nerolidol.

(E)-2-Octenal

1. Scientific reports
2. Frontiers in plant science

1,8-Cineole

1. Scientific reports
2. Frontiers in plant science

Esters

1. BMC plant biology
2. ACS omega

Eucalyptol

1. Microbial pathogenesis
2. Frontiers in plant science

(+)-Nerolidol

1. Analytica chimica acta

(E)-2-Decenal

1. Scientific reports

(E)-2-HEXENAL

1. Scientific reports

(E)-2-dodecenal

1. Frontiers in plant science

(E,Z)-2,6-Dodecadienal

1. Scientific reports

(Z)-2-Decenal

1. Frontiers in plant science

Activities

Lanxangia tsao-ko has 3 reported activities identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Antibacterial.

Antidiabetic

1. Journal of fish biology
2. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Antioxidant

1. Journal of fish biology
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antibacterial

1. Journal of fish biology

Medicinal Uses

Lanxangia tsao-ko has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include bovine mastitis.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations