Zingiberaceae of Laos (Ginger, Galanga, Cardamom)

Cardamom is a large and diverse genus of medium-sized to large, clump-forming or spreading herbs. The fruits of Several Cardamom species are sued as cardamom substitutes, for example, in flavouring soups.  Wurfbainia longiligularis and W. villosa var. xanthioides is cultivated on a large scale in Laos and Vietnam. Several Cardamom species are used in Laos in steam saunas and baths.