Abstract: Amomum villosum is a tropical medicinal plant of high economic value. This paper mainly deals with the ecological characteristics of A. villosum, techniques for its cultivation and management in natural forests and rubber plantations. The economic, ecological and social benefits of this agroforestry farming system are analysed, and its positive and negative effects in tropical forest and species conservation are briefly commented.

Key words: Liquidambar formosana, nitrogen supply, photosynthesis, carbon balance