Yoruba soft cane
Sarcophrynium brachystachyum

Family: Marantaceae

What it is like

A semi-woody herb. It has underground stems or rhizomes. The leaves develop in a close clump. They have long stalks. They grow 50-170 cm high. The flowers are white. The fruit are red.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows as an under-shrub in damp swampy forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, West Africa

How it is used for food

The fruit pulp is eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit pulp

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bale, Koindaga, Koto-haban, Pura

Synonyms

Donax brachystachya (Benth.) Roberty; Maranta brachystachys Benth.; and others