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Eriosema ukingense

Harms

Fabaceae Edible: Root, Tuber

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MBG

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Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

gbif· cc-by-nc-sa

MBG

Description

An erect herb in the Fabaceae family growing 15-35 cm tall, found in tropical regions.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

The root and tuber are eaten.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant.

Where It Grows

Africa, East Africa, Tanzania,

Propagation

Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have ripened and dried the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing.

Also Known As

Inzihuluumbi, Kibaazi-mzitu

References (3)

  • East African Herbarium records, 1981,
  • Peters, C. R., O'Brien, E. M., and Drummond, R.B., 1992, Edible Wild plants of Sub-saharan Africa. Kew. p 134
  • Ruffo, C. K., Birnie, A. & Tengnas, B., 2002, Edible Wild Plants of Tanzania. RELMA p 308

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