Aframomum melegueta is a member of the Zingiberaceae family, and it is well-known for its distinct qualities as a spice that is used all over the world. In Igboland, it is known as oseoji; internationally, it is known as grains of paradise, melegueta pepper, alligator pepper, Guinea grains, and, occasionally, Guinea pepper, which is frequently used for Xylopia aethiopica; a native spice that has been discussed in this column.

Aframomum's stem is a rhizome that ramifies into the soil and produces aerial shoots with alternate lanceolate leaves at the nodes of the underground rhizomes. The flowers grow basally on the rhizomes, are colored, and produce flask-shaped fruits that are capsules with small seeds tightly packed in loose paper-like linings, as shown in the picture.

The spicy compounds are found in the brown seeds.

The entire pod containing the seeds is sold as alligator pepper (in the same manner to another close relative, black cardamom). The English name, alligator pepper, is obvious when the pod is opened to reveal the seeds, which have papery skin enclosing them and bumps on the seeds within this skin that resemble the back of an alligator.
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