Aframomum zambesiacum

Family: Zingiberaceae

What it is like

A ginger family herb. It has a short, branched rhizome. The rhizome is 8-12 mm across. The leafy stems are in clumps 2 m tall. The leaves are broadly sword shaped and 20-45 cm long by 5-14 cm wide. The flowers are in heads from the base of the plant on a stalk 10-40 cm long. There are 25-50 flowers in a group. The petals are white with a red patch at the base. The fruit are oval and red. They are 7 cm long and 4-5 cm wide. They have ridges along them. The seeds are dark brown and shiny. Plants are pollinated by bees.

It is used as medicine.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It is often near water and grows between 1,450-2,050 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo DR, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Nangawo

Synonyms

Aframomum chlamydanthum Loes. & Mildbr.; Aframomum keniense R. E. Fr.; Amomum zambesiacum Baker;