Okra or Okro, Abelmoschus esculentus, known in many English-speaking countries as ladies' fingers or ochro, is a flowering plant in the mallow family. It has edible green seed pods. The geographical origin of okra is disputed, with supporters of West African, Ethiopian, Southeast Asian, and South Asian origins. Cultivated in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions around the world, okra is used in the cuisines of many countries.
Abelmoschus is a genus of about fifteen species of flowering plants in the mallow family (Malvaceae), native to tropical Africa, Asia and northern Australia. It was formerly included within Hibiscus, but is now classified as a distinct genus. The genus name derives from Arabic meaning 'father of musk' or 'source of musk' referring to the scented seeds.
Amaranthus blitum, commonly called purple amaranth or Guernsey pigweed, is an annual plant species in the economically important plant family Amaranthaceae.
Crassocephalum rubens, also called Yoruba bologi, is an erect annual herb growing up to 80 cm tall. It is grown and consumed especially in Southwestern Nigeria, but also as far away as Yemen, South Africa, and islands of the Indian Ocean. Its mucilaginous leaves are used as a dry or fresh vegetable in a variety of dishes, and as medicine for several different ailments.
Amaranthus viridis is a cosmopolitan species in the botanical family Amaranthaceae and is commonly known as slender amaranth or green amaranth.
Amaranthus hypochondriacus is an ornamental plant commonly known as Prince-of-Wales feather or prince's-feather. Originally endemic to Mexico, it is called quelite, bledo and quintonil in Spanish.
Amaranthus dubius, the red spinach, Chinese spinach,, spleen amaranth, hon-toi-moi, yin choy, hsien tsai, or Arai keerai is a plant species. It belongs to the economically important family Amaranthaceae.
Celosia trigyna is a plant species commonly known as woolflower for its curious flowers.
Momordica balsamina is a tendril-bearing annual vine native to the tropical regions of Africa, introduced and invasive in Asia, Australia, Central America, and North America, where they have been found in some parts of Florida. In 1810, Thomas Jefferson planted this vine in his flower borders at Monticello along with larkspur, poppies, and nutmeg.
Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, known by its acronym PROTA, is a retired NGO and interdisciplinary documentation programme active between 2000 and 2013. PROTA produced a large database and various publications about Africa's useful plants.
Acalypha bipartita is a species in the botanical family Euphorbiaceae. It occurs widely in Africa where it is eaten as a vegetable, or fed to animals. The leaves are considered nutritious, as they contain a high concentration of calcium. It is often found as undergrowth in the forest, on the edges of the forest, and in wooded grasslands, particularly in Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, eastern Zaire, Burundi, Rwanda, and Tanzania. The stems are often used in making baskets.
Alepidea peduncularis is an edible perennial herb native to the montane grasslands of East and South Africa.
Alternanthera sessilis is a flowering plant known by several common names, including sissoo spinach, Brazilian spinach, sessile joyweed and dwarf copperleaf. It is cultivated as a vegetable worldwide.
Barleria obtusa, the bush violet, is a species of flowering plant in the family Acanthaceae. It occurs naturally along forest margins in the summer rainfall region of South Africa. It is widely cultivated as a decorative garden shrub.
Artanema longifolium is an edible flowering plant species found in tropical Africa, India and South-East Asia. Extracts are used in Ayurveda medicines to treat myositis and nausea. The leaves can also be cooked and eaten as a leafy vegetable. The roots are root used to treat rheumatism, diarrhea, syphilis and ophthalmitis.
Bidens pilosa is an annual species of herbaceous flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae. Its many common names include hitch hikers, black-jack, beggarticks, farmer’s friends and Spanish needle, but most commonly referred to as cobblers pegs. It is native to the Americas but is widely distributed as an introduced species in other regions worldwide including Eurasia, Africa, Australia, South America and the Pacific Islands.
Caralluma edulis is a succulent species in the plant family Apocynaceae, native to India and Pakistan.
Acanthosicyos naudinianus, known as the Gemsbok cucumber, is a perennial African melon with edible fruits and seeds.
Alternanthera littoralis is an African species of plant in the family Amaranthaceae. The leaves are eaten as a vegetable.
Ceratotheca sesamoides is a flowering plant in the genus Ceratotheca. It is indigenous to Africa and grows both as a wild weed and locally cultivated species, and is colloquially referred to as false sesame owing to its marked similarities with common sesame. The plant is most commonly cultivated in the African Savannah and other semi-arid areas on the continent and is found across Africa in both tropic and sub-tropic regions, usually growing in sandier soils south of the Sahara. It can be identified by numerous hairs on the stem, its pink flowers often replete with brown and purple dots and a sub-erect growth habit. A plant with many practical uses, the leaves and flowers are often consumed as vegetables or used in sauces. The leaves can also have medicinal benefits while the seeds can be employed to produce cooking oil. Despite its many uses and growing domestication at a local level, the plant remains predominantly underused and undervalued.
