Ground pineapple
Thonningia sanguinea
Family: Balanophoraceae
What it is like
A plant that grows attached to other trees for food. It has a stout rhizome or underground stem. There are tubers where the rhizome attaches to the host plant. The scaly flower heads only appear above the ground. They are 7 cm high
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in woodland and in forests along rivers. In Nigeria it has been recorded at 230 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, West Africa
How it is used for food
The rhizome is used to flavour sauces and other dishes.
The rhizomes are sold in local food markets.
Edible parts
Rhizome - flavouring, root, spice
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Langa dia mfinda, Mbengela, Pisa de maluca, Timba timba