Dane
Trachyphrynium braunianum

Family: Marantaceae

What it is like

A herb. It has underground stems or rhizomes. It keeps growing from year to year. The stems are like a thick stemmed grass and are somewhat woody. It grows 2-3 m tall. It forms a tangled clump. The leaves vary between 6-20 cm long by 2-10 cm wide. The flowering shoots are spike like and 20 cm long. The flowers are white or pink and 2 cm long. The fruit are orange-yellow.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows as an under-shrub in forests in West Africa, often near water.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, SE Asia, Singapore, Sierra Leone, Sudan, West Africa

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten raw as a sweet.

Edible parts

Seeds, fruit - aril

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bolikabwalima, Ikokombeibaye, Ikokombeshalia, Ndika isende

Synonyms

Hybophrynium braunianum K. Schum.;