Alligator pepper
Aframomum subsericeum

Family: Zingiberaceae

What it is like

A ginger family herb. It has a creeping rhizome or underground stem. It grows 3 m tall. The leaves are bluish-white underneath. The flowers can be in a cluster at the base of the stem. The fruit are narrow and pear shaped and 8 cm long.

There are about 50 Aframomum species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo R, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Gabon, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, West Africa

How it is used for food

The fruit including seeds are eaten raw as a fruit. The seeds are used as a flavouring.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

In Central African Republic flowers have been observed from May to July and fruit in November.

Its other names

Local names

Lidulu, Nadeye

Synonyms

Amomum subsericeum Oliv. & D. Hanb.; Cardamomum subsericeum (Oliv. & D. Hanb) Kuntze;