A Handbook of Some Common Plants, Shrubs and Weeds of

West Africa

By

Abulude, F.O and Ogunkoya, M.O.

© Abulude, F.O and Ogunkoya, M.O., 2009

First Published 2009

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the copyright owner.

ISBN: 978 – 978 49584 – 0 – 0 Printed by Wilolud Journals P.O.Box 214, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria wilolud@yahoo.com +2348034458674

Dedication

This book is dedicated to Almighty God

Acknowledgement

The authors wish to thank Mr Akinleye Gabriel for the collection of samples and all members of Department of Horticulture and Landscape Design, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria for their immense contributions to make the publication a success.

Table of Content

Family: Anacardiaceae Botanical name: Spondias monbin Common name: Hog plum Local name (Yoruba): Iyeye, (Ibo): Ijikara, (Hausa): Tsadar lamarudu, (Efik): Nsukara

Family: Caricaceae Botanical name: Carica papaya Common name: Pawpaw Local name (Yoruba): Ibepe, (Ibo): Ojo, (Hausa): Gwanda, (Efik): Etihi-mbakara

Family: Botanical name: Jatropha curcas Common name: Physic nut Local name (Yoruba): Lapalapa, Botuje (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik):

Family: Compositate Botanical name: Vernonia amygdalina Common name: Bitter leaf Local name (Yoruba): Ewuro, (Ibo): Olubu, Onubu, (Hausa): Shiwaka, (Efik):

Family: Cucurbitaceae Botanical name: Telfaria occidentale Common name: Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo): Ugwu, (Hausa):, (Efik):

Family: Botanical name: Baselia alba Common name: Indian spinach Local name (Yoruba): Amunututu, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik):

Family: Verbenaceae Botanical name: Strachytarpheta jamaicensis Common name: Bastard vervain, Brazillian tea Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik):

Family: Solanaceae Botanical name: Solanum nodiflorum Common name: Garden egg Local name (Yoruba): Odu, Ogumo (Ibo): Ugumakpe, (Hausa): Gautan kaji, (Efik): Anyana, Nnya

Family: Botanical name: Lycoperscon esculentum Common name: Tomatoes Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik):

Family: Euphorbiaceae Botanical name: Manihort utilssima Common name: Cassava Local name (Yoruba): Gbaguda, Ege, (Ibo): Akpe, Jigbo, Abaca, (Hausa): Rogo, Doyar kudu, K’araza, (Efik):

Family: Solanaceae Botanical name: Solanum melongena Common name: Egg plant Local name (Yoruba): Igba, Ijegun, (Ibo): Afefea, Anara, (Hausa):, (Efik): Anyana

Family: Botanical name: Saccharum officinarum Common name: Sugar cane Local name (Yoruba): Ireke, (Ibo): Okpete, Mgboko, Acara mmoko, (Hausa): Rake, Karan sarki, (Efik): Mbokok

Family: Rutaceae Botanical name: Citrus sinensis Common name: Sweet orange Local name (Yoruba): Orombo, Osan, (Ibo): Oloma, (Hausa):, (Efik): Sokoro

Family: Anacardiaceae Botanical name: Mangifera indica Common name: Mango Local name (Yoruba): Mangoro, (Ibo): Mangolo, , (Hausa): Mangwaro, (Efik): Mano, Uya mbakara

Family: Palmae Botanical name: Eleais guineneses Common name: Palm tree Local name (Yoruba): Ope , Igi ope, Odi - eyin (Ibo): Nkwe, Ake, (Hausa): Kwakwa, Gima, (Efik): Eyop

Family: Bromeliaceae Botanical name: Ananas comosus Common name: Pine apple Local name (Yoruba): Ope-oyinbo, (Ibo): Akwe-olu, (Hausa): Abarba, (Efik): Eyop-mbakara

Family: Verbenaceae Botanical name: Tectona grandis Common name: Teak Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik):

Family: Leguminosae: Pailionoideae Botanical name: Crotalaria retusa Linn Common name: rattlebox Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik):

Family: Botanical name: Azadirachta indica Common name: Neem Local name (Yoruba): Dongoyaro, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik):

Family: Botanical name: Solanum Tuberasum Common name: Potatoes Local name (Yoruba): Odunkun, Kukunduku, (Ibo):, (Hausa): Data, (Efik):

Family: Palmaceae Botanical name: Cocos nucifera Common name: Coconut Local name (Yoruba): Agbon, (Ibo): Ake beke, Ake oyinbo, (Hausa): Kwakwar attagara, (Efik): Isip mbakara

Family: Annonaceae Botanical name: Annona muricata Common name: Sour sop Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik):

Family: Sapotaceae Botanical name: Chrysophyllum albidum Common name: White star apple Local name (Yoruba): Agbalumo, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik):

Family: Musaceae Botanical name: Musa parasidiaca Common name: Plantain Local name (Yoruba): Ogede agbagba, (Ibo): Ogede-jioko, Ojioko, Abereka, (Hausa):, (Efik): Ukom

Family: Sterculiaceae Botanical name: Theobroma cacao Common name: Cocoa Local name (Yoruba): Koko, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik):

Family: Moraceae Botanical name: Ficus exaperata Common name: Sandpaper tree Local name (Yoruba): Epin, (Ibo): Asesa, Anwerenwa, (Hausa): baure, Go, (Efik): Ukwok

Family: Rutaceae Botanical name: Citrus limon ommon name: Lemon Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik):

Family: Sterculiaceae Botanical name: Kola acuminata Common name: Kolanut Local name (Yoruba): Obi abata, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik):

Family: Rutaceae Botanical name: Common name: Shaddock Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik):

Family: Lamiaceae Botanical name: Hyptis suaveolens Common name: Bus tea, wild spikenard Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik):

Family: Botanical name: Allium Cepa xxCommon name: Onion Local name (Yoruba): Alubosa, (Ibo): Yabase, (Hausa): Albasa, Kuduru, (Efik): Oyim mbakara

Family: Papilonaceae Botanical name: Mucuna pruriens Common name: Devil bean, cowitch Local name (Yoruba): Werepe, (Ibo): Okwe oyibo, (Hausa): Karara, Sansoni, (Efik):

Family: Botanical name: Abelmoschus esculentus Common name: Okra, Lady Finger Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik):

Family: Poaceae Botanical name: Oryza sativa Common name: Rice Local name (Yoruba): Iresi, (Ibo): Osikapa, (Hausa): Shikafa, (Efik): Edesi

Family: Botanical name: Vigna unguiculata Common name: Beans Local name (Yoruba): Ewa, Eree, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik):

Family: Dioscoreaceae Botanical name: Dioscorea villosa Common name: Wild yam Local name (Yoruba): Esusu, Esuru, (Ibo): One (ow), (Hausa): Rogwan biri, (Efik): Edidia-iwa, Edeminan, Eba edi

Family: Botanical name: Common name: Flamboyant Local name (Yoruba):

Family: Sterculiaceae Botanical name: Kola nitida Common name: Local name (Yoruba): Obi abata

Family: Irvingiaceae Botanical name: Irvingia gabonenses Common name: Bush mango Local name (Yoruba): Apon, (Ogbono)

Family: Fabaceae Botanical name: Arachis hypogea Common name: Groundnut Local name (Yoruba): Epa

Family: Malvaceae Botanical name: Gossypium spp Common name: Cotton Local name (Yoruba): Owu

Family: Sterculiaceae Botanical name: Garcina kola Common name: Bitter kola Local name (Yoruba): Orogbo

Family: Botanical name: Malus domestica Common name: Apple Local name (Yoruba):

Family: Botanical name: Malengueta Common name: Aligator peper Local name (Yoruba): Atare

Family: Cucurbitaceae Botanical name: Cucumis sativus Common name: Cucumber

Family: Moraceceae Botanical name: Ficus capensis Common name: Fig Local name (Yoruba): Opoto

Family:

Botanical name: Blighia sapida Common name: Akee apple Local name (Yoruba): Isin,Oka, Isiri - jeje (Ibo): Okpe,Okpeoca, (Hausa): Alale

Family: Moraceae

Botanical name: Chlorophora excelsa Common name: African teak Local name (Yoruba): Iroko, (Ibo): Oje, (Hausa): Loko

Family: Sterculiaceae

Botanical name: Mansonia altissima Common name: Mansonia Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):

Family: Bignoniaceae

Botanical name: Newbouldia levis Common name: Local name (Yoruba): Akoko, (Ibo): Ogbu, Ogilisi, (Hausa): Aduruku, (Efik): Oboti

Family:

Botanical name: Common name: Local name (Yoruba): Ataire, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik):

Family: Caesalpinacaea

Botanical name: Cassia alata Common name: Ringworm shrub Local name (Yoruba): Asunwon, (Ibo): Ogala, Ndici, (Hausa):, (Efik): -

Family: Apocynaceae

Botanical name: Astonia boonei Common name: Local name (Yoruba): Ahun, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik):

Family: Marantaceae

Botanical name: Sarcophrynium macrophyllum Common name: Local name (Yoruba): Ewe gbodogi, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik):

Family: Malvaceae Botanical name: Bombax buonopozense

Common name: Gold Coast Bombax or Red-flowered Silk Local name (Yoruba):Oporoporo, Ponpola, (Ibo): Ugbokha, (Hausa): Gurjiya

Family: Rubiaceae Botanical name: Morinda lucinda

Common name: Brimestone tree Local name (Yoruba): Oruwo, (Ibo): Nuke, (Hausa):

Family: Tiliaceae Botanical name: Glyphaea Common name: Local name (Yoruba): Atori, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

44. Family: Mimosaceae Botanical name: Piptadenia africana Common name: Local name (Yoruba): Agbonyin, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Tiliaceae Botanical name: Ancistrocarpus densispinosus Common name: Local name (Yoruba): Omun aja, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Fabaceae Botanical name: Glycine max Common name: Soya bean Local name (Yoruba): Soya, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Euphorbiaceae Botanical name: Heven brasiliensis Common name: Rubber Local name (Yoruba): Roba, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik) Eto okpo

Family: Botanical name: Dacus carota Common name: Carrot Local name (Yoruba): Karoti, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Botanical name: Hibiscus sabdarifa Common name: Roselle Local name (Yoruba): Isapa, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Mimosaceae Botanical name: Parkia biglobosa Common name: Locust bean Local name (Yoruba): Iru, (Ibo): Ogba, Ogirili okpi, (Hausa): Dorawa, (Efik): Enwun

Family: Gramineae Botanical name: Zea mays Common name: Maize, corn Local name (Yoruba): Agbado, Igbado (Ibo): Abade, Ogbade (Hausa): Masara, Dawar masar (Efik): Ibokpot, Ibokpot umon

Family: Botanical name: Citrusllus lanatus Common name: Melon Local name (Yoruba): Egusi, (Ibo): Elili, Ogili, Nkpeleko (Hausa): Guna Agusi, (Efik): Ikon

Family: Botanical name: Moringa olifera Common name: Drumstick (Zogele) Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Botanical name: Prunus perscia Common name: Peach

Family: Palmae Botanical name: Rafia spp Common name: Raffia palm Local name (Yoruba): Ogoro, (Ibo): Ube, Agwo (Hausa): Tukurwa, Gwangwala (Efik): Okokok

Family: Annonaceae Botanical name: Myristica fragrans Common name: nutmeg Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Euphorbiaceae Botanical name: Ricinus communis Common name: Castor bean seed Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Areceae Botanical name: Colocasia esculentum Common name: Cocoyam Local name (Yoruba): Koko, (Ibo): Akase, Nkase (Hausa): Gwasa, Gwamba (Efik): Enimbo, Ata mkpon

Family: Botanical name: Persea americana Common name: Avocado (pear) Local name (Yoruba): Pia, (Ibo): Ube oyibo, (Hausa):, (Efik): Eben mbakara

Family: Botanical name: Murraya koenegii Common name: Curry Local name (Yoruba): Agbonyin, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Papionaceae Botanical name: Gliricidia Sepium Common name: Gliricidia Local name (Yoruba): Agunmaniye, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Botanical name: Lablab purpurea Common name: hyacinth Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Asteraceae Botanical name: Helianthus annus Common name: Sunflower Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Anacardiaceae Botanical name: Anacadium occidentale Common name: Cashew Local name (Yoruba): Kaju, Kantonoyo (Ibo): Akwe-olu, Kasun (Hausa): Kanju, (Efik)

Family: ASTERACEAE Botanical name: Synedrella nodiflora Gaertn Common name: nodneweed, starwort Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: ASTERACEAE Botanical name: Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray Common name: Mexican sunflower, tree marigold Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: ASTERACEAE Botanical name: Chromolaena odorata, Eupatorium odoratum Common name: siamweed Local name (Yoruba): Akintola, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: EUPHORBIACEAE Botanical name: Euphorbia heterophylla Linn Common name: spurge weed, wild pointsettia Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Botanical name: Common name: Local name (Yoruba): Irawo ile, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: MALVACEAE Botanical name: Sida acuta Common name: broom weed Local name (Yoruba): Iseketu, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: URTICAEAE Botanical name: Laportea aestuans (Linn.) Chew. Common name: tropical nettleweed Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Botanical name: Capsicum annuum Common name: Chilli Local name (Yoruba): Ata jije, (Ibo): Ose, O.oyinbo (Hausa): Barkono, Tasshi (Efik): Ntokon, Aman-nten

Family: Portulacaeae Botanical name: Talinum triangulare Common name: Water leaf Local name (Yoruba): Gbure, Gure, (Ibo): Nte-oke, Ofe-beke (Hausa):, (Efik): Mononikon, Mmonmmon-ikon

Family: Portulaceae otanical name: Portulaca oleracea Common name: Common purslane Local name (Yoruba): Papasan, (Ibo): , (Hausa): Fasa k’aba, (Efik): Efere mbaraka

Family: Euphorbiaceae Botanical name: Phyllanthus amarus Common name: Local name (Yoruba): Asasa, Arunjeran, Yoloba (All different species) (Ibo): Egu eza, Ogu ezie, Usu-kenddule (Hausa):, (Efik): Oyomo-ke-iso-aman-ke-edem

Family: Asteraceae Botanical name: Acanthospermum hispidum Common name: bristly starbur

Family: Urticaceae Botanical name: Lapotea aestuans

T

Common name: Tropical nettleweed

Family: Rubiaceae Botanical name: Diodia sarmentosa Common name: Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Acanthaceae Botanical name: Justicia flava Common name: Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Botanical name: Lemon grass Common name: Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Poaceae Botanical name: Eragrostis tenella Common name: Feathery lovegrass, bug’s egggrass Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Onagraceae Botanical name: Ludwigia hyssopifolia Common name: Water primrose Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Solanaceae Botanical name: Solanum torvum Common name: Prickly solanum, Turkey berry Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Grassulaceae Botanical name: Bryophyllum pinnatum Common name: Resurrection plant, Canterbury bells Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Cucurbitaceae Botanical name: Momordica charantia Common name: Balsam pear, African cucumber Local name (Yoruba): Ejinrin were, (Ibo): Ale ose, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Athyriceae Botanical name: Diplazim sammatii Common name: Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Botanical name: (Pistia stratiotes) Common name: Water lettuce Local name (Yoruba): Ojuoro, (Ibo):, (Hausa): Kainuwa, (Efik): Ekpon idim, Ekamnime

Family: Commelinaceae Botanical name: Commelina diffusa Common name: Spreading dayflower Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Botanical name: Common name: Guinea grass Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Botanical name: Common name: Giant grass Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Botanical name: Panicum repens Common name: Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Botanical name: Pennisetum pedicellatum Common name: Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Botanical name: Pennisetum polystachion Common name: Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Botanical name: Common name: Sourgrass Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Botanical name: Common name: Speargrass Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Poaceae Botanical name: Sorghum arundinaceum Common name: Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Acanthaceae Botanical name: Blepharis maderaspatensis Common name: Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Nyctaginaceae Botanical name: Boerhavia diffusa Common name: Red Spiderling Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Longaniaeae Botanical name: Spigelia anthelmia Common name: Wormbush, pinkweed, bomvier Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Pontederiaceae Botanical name: Eichhornia natans Common name: Water hyacinth Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Nynphaeceae Botanical name: Nymphaea lotus Common name: Water lily Local name (Yoruba): Osibata, (Ibo): Mkpokpomere, (Hausa): Bado,kudu, (Efik): Ekponidim

Family: Asteraceae Botanical name: Emilia coccinea Common name: Yellow tasselflower Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: MALVACEAE Botanical name: Malvastrum coromandelianum (Linn.) Garcke Common name: false mallow Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Lamiaceae Botanical name: Solenostemon monostachyus Common name: Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family: Euphorbiaceae Botanical name: Alchornea cordifolia Common name: Christmas bush Local name (Yoruba):, (Ibo):, (Hausa):, (Efik)

Family:

Botanical name: Oxytenanthera abyssinica Common name: Bamboo Local name (Yoruba): Oparun, apako (Ibo): Acara oyibo, Ekpe acara (Hausa): Gora, (Efik): Nnyanyana mbakara