Niama
Bauhinia reticulata

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 3 m high. The leaves are greyish green. The flowers are white and in spikes. The petals have pink stripes. The fruit are brown pods 15-25 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. The pods remain on the plant for a long time then fall without opening. They are edible.

Also as Caesalpinaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in valleys and humid zones. It grows in the Sahel.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Central Africa, Chad, East Africa, Ethiopia, Sahel, Senegal, Sudan, West Africa

How it is used for food

The pods are pounded and boiled to make a drink. The leaves have a slightly sour flavour and are used for drinks.

Edible parts

Pods - drink, pods, leaves - flavour

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Piliostigma reticulatum (DC.) Hochst.;