Bush banana, Finger-root, Finger fruit
Uvaria chamae
Family: Annonaceae
What it is like
A shrub or small tree. It grows 4.5 m high. It is often straggling and can be a creeper. The fruit are in finger like clusters. The fruit are yellow when ripe and have a sweet pulp.
Uvaria chamae, Uvaria lucida and Uvaria angolensis may not be distinct.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in the savannah and secondary forest in West Africa. It grows in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, West Africa
How it is used for food
The juicy layer around the seeds is eaten. The leaves are used in soup.
The fruit are widely eaten. It is a commonly used food plant. The leaves are only occasionally eaten. Fruit tend to be available in the drier more hungry season.
Edible parts
Fruit, leaves, root
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Agbana-asile, Agio, Akotompo, Banana-de-santcho, Banana-sanjo, Begundja, Bogunha, Bugunha, Bu lew, Buurtchi, Eruju, Faso, Fudia, Gundje, Mmimi-ohia, Mouranda, N'pinde, Nkari ikot, Okpaokuko, Oroudjou, Qele-bale, Qele-balei, Quelibaledje, Saada kunji, Sambafiom, Sambahim-o, Sanbefim, Yaha, Yalaha, Yraha, Ziwokouwehouwe