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Useful Tropical Plants

Amomum compactum

Sol. ex Maton.

Zingiberaceae

+ Synonyms

Alpinia striata Link

Amomum cardamomum Willd.

Amomum kepulaga Sprague & Burkill.

Zingiber compactum (Sol. ex Maton) Stokes

Common Name: Round Cardamom

Amomum compactum
Plant growing in a forest garden
Photograph by: Wie146
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0
Amomum compactum Amomum compactum Amomum compactum Amomum compactum Amomum compactum Amomum compactum

General Information

Round cardamon is an aromatic, robust, perennial plant producing leafy stems up to 2 metres tall from a spreading, copiously branched rhizome that is around 1 - 2cm in diameter[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].
The plant is cultivated in Indonesia as a spice very similar to the true cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
]. It is a popular spice in Asia though it is little known elsewhere.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.

Range

Southeast Asia - Indonesia (Sumatra, Java)

Habitat

Growns in primary and teak forests[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
]..

Properties

Edibility Rating *  *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *
HabitPerennial
Height1.00 m
PollinatorsInsects
Cultivation StatusCultivated

Cultivation Details

Round cardamom is a plant of the moist tropics. It grows best in areas where the mean annual temperature is in the range 23 - 28°c, tolerating daily temperatures from 10 - 35°c. It requires a constant high relative humidity, with a mean annual rainfall of 2,500 - 4,000mm, and at least 136 rainy days[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].It can be found at elevations from 200 - 1,000 metres, though the greatest yields are obtained at 300 - 500 metres[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].
Requires a position in partial shade. Grows best in a fertile, moist, humus-rich soil that is well-drained. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6.8[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].
During the first years of growth, flowers produce hardly any fruit[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].
New inflorescences develop continuously from the 3rd or 4th year and produce fruits that mature 6 - 8 weeks after flowering. Rainfall (or irrigation) promotes flowering, while fruit-set is increased by the presence of pollinating insects[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].
When mature, the fruit feels firm, the corolla has been shed, and the skin is wrinkled and reddish-purple. Harvesting is carried out by cutting the entire fruit cluster and then removing the individual fruits[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].
From the 4th year onwards the fruit can be harvested every 35 - 45 days. In Java, for example, four small harvests are possible between January and July (rainy season) and 3 larger ones between August and December (dry season)[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].
Yields are quite low in the first few years. Dry fruit yield can reach 275 kilos per hectare during the second year, gradually rising to 475 kilos in subsequent years[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].

Edible Uses

The pungent young shoots can be eaten raw, roasted or cooked and served as a side dish with rice[
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
,
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].

The fruits have a sweet, turpentine aroma and flavour[
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
]. They are used as a spice[
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
].

The seeds have a peppery, ginger-like flavour and serve as a warm aromatic spice to sweeten the breath and to appetize food[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
]. They can be used as a substitute for the true cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), and are sometimes considered as having a more appreciated taste[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
]. The seeds are used in cakes[
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
].

Medicinal

The seeds are stomachic and tonic. They are used as a remedy against colds and coughs, and as a tonic after childbirth[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
]. The seeds are chewed to sweeten the breath[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
].

A decoction of the whole plant is drunk as a tonic and to alleviate rheumatic pain[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
]. The plant is used to treat coughs and colds[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
].

The dried crushed rhizomes are taken to reduce fever and to combat intestinal pains[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant grows well in shade and can be planted under tree crops such as coconut or sugar palm[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].

Other Uses

Steam distillation of the seed yields an essential oil that is used in the perfume and flavour industry[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
]. The seeds yield 2 - 4% essential oil, composed primarily of 1,8-cineole (up to 70%), 'BETA'-pinene (16%), 'ALFA'-pinene (4%), 'ALFA'-terpineol (5%) and humulene (3%)[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].
Fresh rhizomes and roots have an essential-oil content of about 0.1% which also contains 1,8-cineole.

Propagation

Seed -
Rhizome cuttings or offsets of the plant clump[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
]. The rhizome cutting or offset (with rhizome part and adventitious roots) should bear 1 - 2 shoot buds or young plantlets 10 - 15cm tall, each with 4-8 leaves. Under dry weather conditions some of the lower leaves are removed to prevent rapid dehydration. Planting holes 50 cm deep and wide are first prepared, the soil is loosened and organic matter is incorporated. One or two cuttings are planted per hole, being placed about 10 cm deep.
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-03-29. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Amomum+compactum>

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