Forest anchomanes
Anchomanes difformis

Family: Araceae

What it is like

A large herb. It grows 2 m tall. It keeps growing from year to year. The leaf stalk is stout and has prickles. The plant grows 2 m high. The leaves are large and much divided. The bract around the flower is 20-25 cm long. The leaves arise from a tuber. The tuber is 80 cm long by 20 cm across. The fruit are red berries. The seeds are oval.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in the forest in West Africa. It grows in savannah woodland. It grows up to 1,500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, West Africa (country/location of origin), Zambia

How it is used for food

Caution: The tubers are only used in times of famine. They need extensive processing. They are washed and fermented or boiled to get rid of the saponins and raphides.

A famine food.

Edible parts

Tubers, corm, root

How it is grown

It can be grown from root cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Ancomanes hutan, Dioko di kisimbi, Kikwa ki bankita, Mimwa ki bankita, Mpansa makunsi, Nzete ki simbi, Pundebuno, Pundibono

Synonyms

Amorphophallus difformis Blume; Anchomanes difformis var. welwitschii (Rendle) Engl.; Anchomanes dalzielli N. E. Br.; Anchomanes dubius Schott.; Anchomanes hookeri (Kunth) Schott.; Anchomanes hookeri var. pallidus Hook.; Anchomanes obtusus A. Chev.; Anchomanes petiolatus (Hook.) Hutch.; Anchomanes welwitschii Rendle; Caladium petiolatum Hook.; Pythonium hookeri Kunth; Sauromatum ferox Linden ex Engl.;