The Kerala green cardamom choti elaichi spice plant, also known as Elettaria cardamomum, is a perennial plant in the ginger family that produces green cardamom, a popular spice in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. The plant can grow up to 16.4 ft (5 m) tall and has an economic lifespan of 10?15 years. Here are some characteristics of the Kerala green cardamom choti elaichi spice plant:
Leaves: Lanceolate and dark green in color
Flowering shoots: Can be upright or sprawling, and are about 3 ft (1 m) long
Flowers: About 2 in (5 cm) in diameter, with greenish petals and a white lip with purple veins
Fruit: Capsule-like, triangular in cross section, and initially pale green or yellow in color but dries to brown
Seeds: 15?20 small aromatic seeds inside the fruit