CARDAMOM
Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton, family ZingiberaceaeMost of the cardamoms are produced in southeast Asia and the southern tip of India. The cardamoms of commerce are the seeds, which are used as spices in seasoning and in medicine (Bailey 1949*, Ridley 1912*).
Plant:
The plant, a shrub, forms a clump 7 to 9 feet tall, that is more or less cultivated in the jungle areas. It requires some shade from taller plants. It produces rhizomes, by which it is propagated, although seeds are also planted at the rate of 650 to 1,000 per acre. The plant will flower 2 years after it is planted and will yield for about 15 years. About 5 months after the flower opens, a three-celled pod is harvested. Each cell of this pod produces seven to nine dark-brown aromatic seeds, the cardamoms or cardamons.
Inflorescence:
The slender flowering stems arise 2 to 3 feet from the rootstock or rhizomes, and produce toward the apex numerous florets in two- to three- flowered racemes. The green calyx tube is 1 1/2 inches long, and the pale green 1/2-inch lobes are narrow and spreading. The flowers open singly or in two or more at a time over a long period.
Pollination Requirements:
Ridley (1912*) stated that the flowers require insect pollination. He concluded that the lack of adequate pollination often contributed to reduced crops.
Pollinators:
Ridley (1912*) stated that the flowers are pollinated by insects, probably some species of bees or a fly.
Pollination Recommendations and Practices:
None.
