Amomum villosum
Amomum villosum Lour.
Wurfbainia villosa, also known by its basionym Amomum villosum, (Chinese: 砂仁; pinyin: shārén) is a plant in the ginger family which is grown as a cardamom-like spice throughout Southeast Asia and South China.
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Amomum villosumAmomum villosum
Amomum villosumAmomum villosumAmomum villosumOverview
Wurfbainia villosa, also known by its basionym Amomum villosum, (Chinese: 砂仁; pinyin: shārén) is a plant in the ginger family which is grown as a cardamom-like spice throughout Southeast Asia and South China. Like cardamom, the plant is cultivated for its fruits, dry capsules containing strongly aromatic seeds. villosa is an evergreen monocotyledonous plant 1.
Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/15/2026
5 to 3. 0 m in height, the branches and leaves of which are similar to those of ginger. It grows in the shade of trees and has a reproductive peculiarity whereby those flowers borne on creeping growth at ground level will set fruit, while those borne on aerial branches will not.
Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/15/2026
It blooms in March and April, the colour, translucency and waxy lustre of the flowers being likened traditionally to those of white jade.
Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/15/2026
Life cycle
From seed to productRhizome planting
Propagated by **rhizome**: divide healthy rhizomes into sections with 2–3 buds, trim the roots and plant in loose, moist soil.
Sprouting
Buds on the rhizome sprout, emerge from the soil and form new roots within 2–4 weeks.
Growth & flowering
The plant blooms with **white flowers, May–June**; pollination is by insects and wind.
New rhizomes & harvest
Foliage dies back and reserves move into the underground storage organ; **red ripe fruits picked August–September**.
Habitat & conservation
Like cardamom, the plant is cultivated for its fruits, dry capsules containing strongly aromatic seeds. It grows in the shade of trees and has a reproductive peculiarity whereby those flowers borne on creeping growth at ground level will set fruit, while those borne on aerial branches will not.
Conservation
Amomum villosum has not been assessed by the IUCN Red List (NE). As a medicinal plant, it benefits from sustainable collection and propagation to protect wild genetic resources.
References
- 1Wikipedia – Amomum villosum — Wikipedia,
- 2Kew POWO – Amomum villosum — Plants of the World Online (Kew),
- 3Wikidata – Q2843829 — Wikidata,