Rhizomes widely creeping. Pseudostems elongate. Leaf sheath long; ligule entire or 2-lobed; leaf blade usually oblong-lanceolate, oblong, or linear.
Inflorescence arising from rhizomes, a densely flowered spike or spikelike raceme or panicle; peduncle short or rather long, clothed with imbricate, scalelike sheaths; involucre absent; bracts imbricate, persistent, sometimes soon disintegrating; bracteoles usually tubular. Calyx usually tubular, apex 3-toothed. Corolla tube cylindric; lobes oblong or linear-oblong, central one erect, usually wider and more convex than lateral ones. Lateral staminodes subulate, small, or absent. Labellum conspicuous, usually yellow or orange at center, with some red veins or marks, often white at margin, usually obovate, broadly concave. Filament well developed; anther locules parallel or diverging; connective appendage extending beyond apex of anther, entire or 3-lobed. Ovary 3-loculed; ovules many per locule, superposed. Style filiform; stigma usually funnelform, small, ciliate.
The fruit is a capsule which is irregularly dehiscent or indehiscent, smooth, prickly, or winged. Seeds oblong or many angled; aril fleshy or membranous, apex laciniate.

Amomum is a moderately large and diverse genus, with several widely cultivated species of economic importance with Cardamom Amomum subulatum being one of the oldest spices used by man.

Medicinally the seeds are credited with stimulant, stomachic, alexipharmic and astringent properties and are prescribed in the the treatment of common cold & cough, leucorrhoea, indigestion, vomiting, biliousness abdominal pains and rectal diseases.