Xysmalobium heudelotianum

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A herb or shrub. The stems are up to 1 m high. They are hairy. The leaves are widely spreading. The leaf blade is 5-8 cm long and narrowly oval. The edges curl. There are 10-12 flowers in a group. The fruit are follicles that usually occur singly. They are 12 cm long and 1 cm wide. They are thick at the middle and taper to both ends. The seeds are flat and oval with wings along the edges.

The Plant List has Schizoglossum heudelotianum (Decne.) Roberty as the correct name. African plants database says this name has been rejected.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical Africa.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Burkina Faso, East Africa, Gambia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, West Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The watery, turnip-shaped root is eaten.

Edible parts

Tubers, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bumban, Fiye, Lujiya, Yahhop

Synonyms

Schizoglossum heudelotianum (Decne.) Roberty;