Aframomum K.Schum.

Aframomum are large perennial herbs with alternate leaves distichously arranged on tall stems with a number of species having stilt roots. Individual leaf shoots arise directly from underground rhizomes either individually or forming large clumps. The shape of the lamina varies from ovate, obovate, lanceolate, or elliptical. Parallel secondary venation is either densely packed parallel veins or raised “train track” parallel veins spaced more than 4 or 5 vein widths apart with hypodermal sclerenchyma is present on some species. Leafless peduncles arise either at the base of the leafy shoot or from the rhizome some distance from the leafy shoot. The peduncle can be either unbranched with a single terminal inflorescence or branched with multiple inflorescences arising from a single flowering stalk. Inflorescences produce either single or multiple large zygomorphic tubular, open or platform flowers that are purple, white, pink, red or yellow. The inferior ovary is trilocular with axile placentation. Fruits are indehiscent and have often sweet tasting fibrous or fleshy walls and in many species the edible seeds have a spicy, peppery aromatic taste.