Amomum ovoideum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Amomum ovoideum |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Amomum
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| Species: |
ovoideum
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Amomum ovoideum is a plant that grows in the shade. It is a type of herb from the ginger family. This plant grows wild in Southeast Asia. It has underground stems called rhizomes that help it spread.
The plant grows fruits that are about 2 centimeters (0.8 inches) long. These fruits are covered with soft, red, pointy parts. When the fruits are dried, they produce seedpods. These seedpods are similar to the ones from other cardamom spice plants. Cardamom is a spice used in many dishes.
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Where Amomum ovoideum Grows
This plant is found in thick and somewhat thick forests in Southeast Asia. You can find it growing in countries like Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Amomum ovoideum mostly lives in lowland forests that stay green all year. It also grows in forests where trees lose their leaves in certain seasons. Sometimes, it can be found in mountain forests that are always green. This plant has been seen growing from about 30 meters (98 feet) to 1,550 meters (5,085 feet) above sea level.
In northern Laos, it is a very common type of Amomum plant. People there sometimes call it "green cardamom." In Cambodia, it is known as krakao. In Thailand, its local name is reo daeng.
How People Use Amomum ovoideum
Amomum ovoideum is considered a "nontimber forest product." This means people use parts of the plant, but they don't cut down the trees for wood.
In Laos and Cambodia, people collect the fruits and seeds. They use them in traditional medicine and for cooking. For example, in traditional Cambodian medicine, it helps with breathing problems and stomach issues.
Most of the time, people only collect the fruits and seeds when they are ready. But in some places, they harvest the whole plant. The underground stem (rhizome) can be eaten. The leaves are sometimes used to make simple, temporary shelters. The whole plant is also used in some traditional medicine practices.
Protecting Amomum ovoideum
Generally, Amomum ovoideum is not seen as a plant that is in danger of disappearing. However, some activities in its growing areas are causing its numbers to go down.
People usually only harvest the fruits and seeds. But sometimes, the entire plant is taken.
In Southeast Asia, there is a high demand for herbal medicines and plants used in cooking. These plants are important for local economies. This high demand has led to too many wild plants being harvested. Also, a lot of forests have been cut down in Southeast Asia. This puts stress on many wild medicinal and aromatic plants.
To help with this, a big project started in the 2000s. It teaches people how to harvest plants in a way that is sustainable. This means they can keep harvesting without harming the plant's future. This project, called the ISSC-MAP system, also includes Amomum ovoideum in Cambodia. Local harvesters learn better ways to collect the plants. This helps them get better quality products and earn more money.
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