Family: Zingiberaceae
Native to India, Sri Lanka, and Burma, Elettaria cardamomum, commonly called cardamom, grows naturally in monsoon forests. This important spice has been cultivated, consumed, and traded since the 4th century BC. Considered the “Queen of Spices,” cardamom is the 3rd most expensive spice behind saffron and vanilla. Harvesting the seed pods is labor-intensive.
India was the biggest producer until 1980 when Guatemala started growing more. The Middle East, Scandinavian countries, and Germany are the biggest consumers. Cardamom is essential in Ayurvedic medicine. In 1885, 6 plants were imported to Hawaii from Jamaica.
Sword-shaped leaves arise out of underground rhizomes. Flower stalks, also growing from the rhizome, are 3 feet tall. Numerous white and lilac-colored flowers are loosely arranged on the stem. Following flowers are fruits: three-sided green pods containing several black seeds within.
An herbaceous perennial in the ginger family, cardamom requires shade, constant moisture, and a tropical climate for optimal growing conditions. Cardamom is relatively pest-free and easy to grow once established. When the right conditions are met, fruits and seeds are produced. Propagation is by seed or rhizomes.
Leaves can be used as a food wrapper for steaming rice, fish, potatoes, and meat. The pods are excellent in chai tea, curries, and other dishes.
Plant Uses:
- Container plant
- Cultural significance
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Medicinal
- Ornamental
- Shade
Plant Dangers:
- No dangers
High Risk Traits:
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Naturalized in La Reunion, Tanzania, and the Seychelles, but no evidence in the Hawaiian Islands to date
- A possible environmental weed in La Reunion (spreading in natural or semi-natural ecosystems with a relatively high density)
- Shade tolerant (could spread in forest understory)
- Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by rhizomes
- Self-compatible (but with lower seed set)
- Seeds dispersed by animals, and intentionally by people
Low Risk Traits:
- Generally regarded as a high value spice crop
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Reaches maturity in 5+ years
- Fruit and seeds are the valued crop, and unlikely to be accidentally dispersed
- Seeds lose viability rapidly (no formation of seed bank)
