Cardamom is the name used for two herbs related to ginger. Their seeds are used as a spice. The two species are named "Elettaria" and "Amomum". The seeds grow in a small seedpod. This seedpod is triangular in cross-section and has the shape of a spindle. There is a thin papery outer shell and small black seeds. Elettaria pods are light green in color, Amomum pods are larger and dark brown.