Aframomum verrucosum
Family: Zingiberaceae
What it is like
A ginger family plant. It is a herb that keeps growing from year to year. It has extensive rhizomes that are 4-6 mm thick. The leafy shoots are 2-3 m tall. The leaves are narrowly oval and 25-30 cm long by 6-7 cm wide. The base is rounded. There are 2-4 flowers on the flowering stalk. The flowering shoot is 5-30 cm long and comes from the base of the leafy shoots. The petals are pale red. The fruit are oval and 9 cm long. There is a beak at the end. The fruit are red and shiny and have ridges along them. The seeds are angular and 4-5 mm long by 3-4 mm wide. They are a dull dark brown.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in swampy forest. It grows up to 1,100 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, Gabon, Tanzania, Uganda
How it is used for food
The fruit including seeds are eaten raw.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Kobasa, Lidulu