Uvaria chamae

Uvaria chamae, commonly known as finger root or bush banana is a climbing large shrub or small tree native to tropical West and Central Africa where it grows in wet and dry forests and coastal scrublands. The common name refers to the fruit growing in its small bunches; the fruit is edible and widely eaten. U. chamae is a medicinal plant used throughout its range to treat fevers and has antibiotic properties. An extract of Uvaria chamae, administered orally at 300–900 mg/kg/day showed significant antimalarial activity against both early and established infections.

Description

A shrub or small tree. It grows 4.5 m high. It is often straggling and can be a creeper. The fruit are in finger like clusters. The fruit are yellow when ripe and have a sweet pulp.

Edible Uses

The juicy layer surrounding the seeds is eaten fresh; the leaves are occasionally used in soup. The fruit are widely eaten and commonly available during the drier, hungrier seasons.

Traditional Uses

The juicy layer around the seeds is eaten. The leaves are used in soup.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The root and root-bark have a widespread reputation in traditional medicine in Africa. The plant has been shown to contain several medically active compounds - the root bark yields an oleo-resin; alkaloids are present in small amount in the roots; tannins have been recorded as present but saponins have been recorded as absent. The root bark is antiinflammatory, astringent, febrifuge, galactagogue and styptic. It is taken internally in the treatment of catarrhal inflammation of the mucous membranes; bronchitis and gonorrhoea. It is also used in the treatment of dysentery; as a specific treatment for piles; epistaxis, haematuria, haematemesis and haemoptysis. It is mixed with Guinea grains (Piper guinense) then added to food as a useful treatment for menorrhagia. It is boiled with spices and the decoction drunk in the treatment of fevers that are classed locally as 'yellow-fever', including almost any indisposition that is accompanied by jaundice. The root is said to be febrifuge, purgative, stomachic and vermifuge. It is boiled with spices and the decoction drunk in the treatment of fevers that are classed locally as 'yellow-fever', including almost any indisposition that is accompanied by jaundice. The root is also considered to be a 'woman’s medicine' and is used to treat amenorrhoea, to prevent miscarriage; and to relieve the pains of childbirth. The root is made into a drink and is also used as a body-wash for treating oedematous conditions. Severe abdominal pain is treated by a root-infusion combined with native pepper in gin; whilst the root combined with Guinea grains (probably Piper guinense) is used in an application to the fontanelle for cerebral diseases. The roots are used externally for healing sores. The sap from the root and stem is applied to wounds. The crushed root, combined with Capsicum or other rubefacient substances, is rubbed on as a local counter-irritant. The leaves and roots are macerated together for internal use as a cough mixture, and when mixed with those of Annona senegalensis, then dried and pulverized, are considered strong medicine for renal and costal pain. The sap of the leaves, roots and stems is widely used on wounds and sores and is said to promote rapid healing. A leaf-infusion is used as an eyewash and a leaf-decoction as a febrifuge. The crushed seeds, combined with those of Piper guinense, are rubbed on the body (the reason is not given.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in the savannah and secondary forest in West Africa. It grows in arid places.

Where It Grows

Africa, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, West Africa,

Cultivation

The flowers are sweetly scented.

Other Uses

All parts of the plant are fragrant. The plant is used to make a pomade. An oleoresin is obtained from the root bark. The greyish-brown wood is fairly heavy. It is used for making oars.

Other Information

The fruit are widely eaten. It is a commonly used food plant. The leaves are only occasionally eaten. Fruit tend to be available in the drier more hungry season.

Notes

Uvaria chamae, Uvaria lucida and Uvaria angolensis may not be distinct.

Also Known As

Agbana-asile, Agio, Akotompo, Banana-de-santcho, Banana-sanjo, Begundja, Bogunha, Bugunha, Bu lew, Buurtchi, Eruju, Faso, Fudia, Gundje, Mmimi-ohia, Mouranda, N'pinde, Nkari ikot, Okpaokuko, Oroudjou, Qele-bale, Qele-balei, Quelibaledje, Saada kunji, Sambafiom, Sambahim-o, Sanbefim, Yaha, Yalaha, Yraha, Ziwokouwehouwe

References (31)

• Achigan-Dako, E, et al (Eds), 2009, Catalogue of Traditional Vegetables in Benin. International Foundation for Science.
• Ambe, G., 2001, Les fruits sauvages comestibles des savanes guinéennes de Côte-d’Ivoire : état de la connaissance par une population locale, les Malinké. Biotechnol. Agron. Soc. Environ. 5(1), 43-48
• Assogbadjo, A. E. et al, 2013, Specific Richness and Cultural Importance of Wild Edible Trees in Benin. Acta Hort. 979, ISHS 2013
• Atato, A., et al, 2010, Diversity of Edible Wild Fruit Tree Species of Togo. Global Science Books.
• Atato, A.,et al, 2011, Edible Wild Fruit Highly Consumed during Food Shortage Period in Togo: State of Knowledge and Conservation Status. Journal of Life Sciences 5 (2011) 1046-1057

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