Long cardamom
Elettaria ensal

Family: Zingiberaceae

What it is like

A ginger family herb. It keeps growing from year to year. The stems are leafy and 2-3 m tall. The leaves are narrowly sword shaped and softly hairy underneath. They are 30-60 cm long and 5-10 cm wide. There are several flower panicles up to 60 cm long. These have 2-4 flowers. The fruit is a 3 sided capsule 2.5 cm long.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry evergreen forests.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India, Sri Lanka (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The seeds are occasionally used as a spice or to adulterate cardamom.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Seeds - spice

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Elam

Synonyms

Elettaria cardamomum var. major (Sm.) Thwaites; Elettaria major Sm.; Zingiber ensal Gaertn.;