Aframomum zambesiacum

Aframomum zambesiacum is a species in the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. Its common name is nangawo. It is native to Kimalila, part of the southern highlands in Tanzania. A. zambesiacum grows in upland and secondary forests, often near water, between altitudes of 1,450–2,050 m (4,760–6,730 ft).

Aframomum zambesiacum fruits

Aframomum zambesiacum
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Zingiberales
Family:	Zingiberaceae
Genus:	Aframomum
Species:	A. zambesiacum
Binomial name
Aframomum zambesiacum (Baker) K.Schum.[2]
Synonyms[2][3]
Amomum zambesiacum Baker (basionym)

Aframomum zambesiacum is a leafy plant that grows from a short, branched rhizome. The leafy stems grow in clumps up to 2 m (6.6 ft) tall. 20–50 bee-pollinated flowers are borne in heads arising from the base of the shoots. Petals are white with a large crimson patch at the base. The red fruits are oval, 7 cm (2.8 in) long and 4–5 cm (1.6–2.0 in) wide with prominent ridges running from top to bottom. Seeds are shiny and dark-brown.

Notes

1. Harris, D.J.; Wortley, A.H.; Olander, S.B. (2019). "Aframomum zambesiacum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T117208516A124285425. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T117208516A124285425.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
2.  The specific name Aframomum zambesiacum was derived from its basionym Amomum zambesiacum. It was published in Das Pflanzenreich 46: 206. 1904. "Name - Aframomum zambesiacum (Baker) K.Schum". Tropicos. Saint Louis, Missouri: Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
3.  Amomum zambesiacum (the basionym of Aframomum zambesiacum) was first described and published in Flora of Tropical Africa. London. 7(2): 309. 1898 "Plant Name Details for Amomum zambesiacum". IPNI. Retrieved August 3, 2016.

References

• K. Vollesen (1985). R.M. Polhill (ed.). Flora of Tropical East Africa - Triuridaceae. Boca Raton: CRC. ISBN 90-6191-321-7.
• Latham, Paul (2008). Plants Visited by Bees and Other Useful Plants of Umalila, Southern Tanzania. Paul Latham. ISBN 978-0-9554208-3-2.