Vigna friesiorum

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A small erect herb. It has many branches. It grows 20-30 cm high. It grows from a narrow tuber. The tuber is 15-25 cm long by 2 cm wide. It is reddish brown on the surface. The stems are weak. The leaves have long narrow leaflets. The leaves have long leaf stalks. The leaflets are slightly hairy and do not have lobes.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Kenya it grows between 400-1,700 m altitude. It is in grassland usually on red clay.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda

How it is used for food

The root tuber is peeled and chewed for its sweet sap.

Edible parts

Tuber, root, fruit, pods

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Camee hoolaa, Olgisoyiai

Synonyms

Vigna friesiorum var. angustifolia Verdc.; Vigna friesiorum var. ulugurensis (Harms) Verdc.; Vigna ulugurensis Harms;