Disa sp.

Chinaka, Chikande

Orchidaceae Edible: Tubers, Root

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Description

A tropical ground orchid in the Orchidaceae family that forms underground tubers. About 125 species are found in Central and Southern Africa.

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Edible Uses

The tubers are washed, pounded, and the skin removed, then dried in the sun and repounded. They are subsequently boiled in water and dried again, then boiled with salt and eaten.

Traditional Uses

The tubers are washed, pounded, the skin removed, dried in the sun then repounded. They are then boiled in water and then dried. This is then boiled with salt and eaten.

Distribution

A tropical plant.

Where It Grows

Africa, East Africa, Malawi,

Notes

There are about 125 Disa species in Central and Southern Africa.

References (4)

Jardin, C., 1970, List of Foods Used In Africa, FAO Nutrition Information Document Series No 2.p 75
Peters, C. R., O'Brien, E. M., and Drummond, R.B., 1992, Edible Wild plants of Sub-saharan Africa. Kew. p 36
Marinelli, J. (Ed), 2004, Plant. DK. p 400 (Genus)
Williamson, J., 2005, Useful Plants of Malawi. 3rd. Edition. Mdadzi Book Trust. p 100