New Green Cardamom Species

Why in News?

Recently, an international team of researchers have identified 2 new species that are close cousins to green cardamom.

Green cardamom – It is the most valuable spice plant in the world and of huge economic importance.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name – Elettaria cardamomum.
- Genus – Elettaria, now has 7 species.
It is based on the spice’s old Malayalam name, Elletari which is used by Hendrik van Rheede in the 17^th century.
Seed capsules – It provides the commercial green cardamom.
It is known as Queen of Spices.
2 new species – Elettaria facifera and Elettaria tulipifera.
Discovered in – Western Ghats regions of Kerala.

Elettaria Facifera

Found in – Kerala’s Periyar Tiger Reserve in Idukki district.
Morphology – It is distinguished by sessile leaves, erect flowering shoots that are separate from the leafy shoots, and pure white labellum with purple-red markings.
Mannan tribe – They refer to it as the Vai noki elam, (loosely, Open-mouth cardamom) due to the fruit’s resemblance to an open mouth.

Elettaria Tulipifera

Found in – Agasthyamalai hills in Thiruvananthapuram district.
Morphology – It has strikingly beautiful tulip-shaped inflorescence and large, bright to dark red, whorled bracts.

Conservation – The researchers have underlined the need for conservation efforts as both species face threats.