What is "elettaria"

Elettaria is a genus of plants in the Zingiberaceae. It is native to India, Sri Lanka, Borneo, Sumatra and Malaysia, though some species are naturalized elsewhere.

One member of the genus, Elettaria_cardamomum, is a commercially important spice used as a flavouring agent in many countries.

The following species are recognized as of July 2014:

1. Elettaria brachycalyx S.Sakai & Nagam. - Sarawak
2. Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton - India
3. Elettaria ensal (Gaertn.) Abeyw. - Sri Lanka
4. Elettaria kapitensis S.Sakai & Nagam. - Sarawak
5. Elettaria linearicrista S.Sakai & Nagam. - Sarawak, Brunei
6. Elettaria longipilosa S.Sakai & Nagam. - Sarawak
7. Elettaria longituba (Ridl.) Holttum - Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia
8. Elettaria multiflora (Ridl.) R.M.Sm. - Sumatra, Sarawak
9. Elettaria rubida R.M.Sm. - Sabah, Sarawak
10. Elettaria stoloniflora (K.Schum.) S.Sakai & Nagam. - Sarawak
11. Elettaria surculosa (K.Schum.) B.L.Burtt & R.M.Sm. - Sarawak