Aframomum angustifolium (Sonn.) K.Schum. - Zingiberaceae - longoza, wild cardamom

Perennial herbaceous plant, 1,5-4m high, native to tropical Africa and Madagascar, introduced to Mauritius, Seychelles; leaves alternate, simple; inflorescences of 4 to 10 flowers, flowers trumpet-like, yellow to pink. \\
"Fruits are ovoid to subglobose, 7 to 9,5 cm long, including the persistent calyx, red at maturity. The stem is very rigid especially when its height reaches 1,50 m to 2 m. The plant has a fruity smell, with notes of
apricot, spicy and sweet, slightly peppery. The seeds resemble those of pepper and cardamom in their spicy, pungent taste with a slightly acrid aftertaste." \\
Main components of the essential oil of the seeds were β-pinene (24.8%), β-caryophyllene (17.8%), cis-pinocarvyl acetate (11%), myrtenyl acetate (8.5%), trans-pinocarvyl acetate (5.3%), caryophyllene oxide (3.5%), α-pinene (3.3%), sabinene (2.7%), humulene (2.9%) and α-terpineol (1.9%). \\
[Masengo, Colette A., et al. "Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Aframomum angustifolium (Sonn.) K. Schum (Zingiberaceae): A Mini Review." South Asian Research Journal of Natural Products 5(1): 21-36, 2021; Article no.SARJNP.73953]

"Symrise presented its organic-compliant longoza oil (Aframomum angustifolium), the seeds of which produce a material that is very fresh, bright, sparkly, peppery, cardamom-like and ginger-like. Symrise fine fragrance perfumer Nathalie Benareau described the material as a 'cold spice.'" [[https://www.perfumerflavorist.com/news/news/22302128/symrise-symrise-presents-maison-lautier-1795-naturals-collections]]

{{:aframomum_angustifolium_fruit.jpg?600}} \\
Plant bearing fruit near Bandundu town, D.R. Congo (2005) \\ 
author: Jawleyford [[https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aframomum_angustifolium_fruit.jpg| wikimedia commons]], © [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain|Public Domain]]