Elettaria
(Elettari is the native name of the plant in Malabar). ORD. Scitamineae. A genus of stove plants, having much the appearance of Amomum, natives of the tropical parts of India. There are only two species, and, according to some authorities, these are but varieties of one. E. Cardamomum yields the Cardamoms of commerce. For culture, see Maranta.
E. Cardamomum (Cardamom). fl. pale greenish-white, alternate, short-stalked, in short racemes from the axils of the large bracts of the long-jointed flexuous flower-stems; calyx tubular, three-toothed, finely striated; corolla tube as long as the calyx; limb double, exterior portion of three oblong, concave, nearly equal division; inner lip obovate, longer than the exterior division, curled at the margins; apex three-lobed, marked in the centre with purple-violet stripes. l. lanceolate, acuminate, sub-sessile, entire, 1ft. to 2ft. long. Stem erect, jointed, enveloped in the sheaths of the leaves. h. 6ft. to 9ft. Hilly parts of Travancore and Malabar. (B. M. Pl. 267.)