Ever walked past a plant in the bush or on a farmland edge and wondered if it was edible? Nigeria is home to a treasure trove of wild edible plants that many of us overlook every day.
These plants, aside from being survival food for rural communities, they play vital roles in health, nutrition, traditional medicine, and even local economies.
In this article, we’re going deep into 10 edible wild plants in Nigeria and their uses. You’ll learn how to recognize them, where they grow, how people traditionally use them, and why they still matter today.
Let’s get into it.
Why Edible Wild Plants Matter in Nigeria
Nigeria is blessed with rich biodiversity, and wild edible plants have always been a part of our culture.
Long before supermarkets and imported vegetables, communities relied on the wild for survival. Even today, many of these plants still serve as essential sources of food, herbs, and medicine.
Here’s why they matter:
- Food Security: During dry seasons or economic hardship, wild plants provide free, nutritious alternatives.
- Medicinal Value: Many plants double as traditional medicine.
- Cultural Heritage: They are woven into traditional meals and indigenous knowledge systems.
- Environmental Sustainability: Foraging encourages a deeper relationship with nature.
And now that climate change and food inflation are real issues, learning about these wild plants is a pretty smart move.
Foraging Safely: Know Before You Eat
Before we dive into the list, let’s talk safety.
Not every plant in the bush is your friend. Some are toxic, some need proper preparation, and some are endangered.
Here’s how to forage responsibly:
- Identification First: Know the plant. Don’t eat anything you’re not 100% sure about.
- Avoid Polluted Areas: Don’t pick plants near roads, sewage, or sprayed farmlands.
- Harvest Gently: Take only what you need and leave enough for regrowth.
- Don’t Overharvest: Respect community rules or ask locals if unsure.
If you’re new to foraging, it’s wise to go with someone experienced or use local plant guides like Useful Tropical Plants.
10 Edible Wild Plants in Nigeria and Their Uses
Let’s break down these powerful plants one by one. Each of them has something unique to offer.
1. Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis):
- Where It Grows: Common in the South-East and South-South regions.
- Identification: Broad dark green leaves with climbing vines. Grown widely in home gardens.
- Edible Parts: Leaves and seeds.
- Uses: The leaves are used in soups like edikang ikong, and the seeds are roasted or used in making snacks.
- Health Benefits: Rich in iron, protein, and antioxidants. Often recommended for treating anemia and boosting immunity.
Prep Tip: Wash thoroughly and boil lightly to reduce bitterness.
2. African Bush Mango (Irvingia gabonensis):
- Where It Grows: Grows in tropical rainforests, mostly in southern Nigeria.
- Identification: Tall tree with thick, green leaves. Fruits resemble regular mango but with fibrous flesh.
- Edible Parts: Fruits and seeds (commonly called ogbono).
- Uses: Seeds are ground to make ogbono soup. The fruit is eaten raw.
- Health Benefits: The seed contains soluble fiber, helpful in reducing cholesterol and managing weight.
Fun Fact: Some people use it in herbal weight loss remedies.
3. Waterleaf (Talinum triangulare):
- Where It Grows: Found across Nigeria, especially near rivers and gardens.
- Identification: Small, soft leaves with reddish stems.
- Edible Parts: Leaves and stems.
- Uses: Used in soups like afang or gbure, and also in stir-fried dishes.
- Health Benefits: High in iron, calcium, and vitamin C. Promotes digestion and improves skin health.
Pro Tip: Best when harvested young and tender.
4. Bitter Leaf (Vernonia amygdalina):
- Where It Grows: Widely spread in all parts of Nigeria.
- Identification: Elongated leaves with rough edges; very bitter taste.
- Edible Parts: Leaves (after washing).
- Uses: Used in soups like onugbu and oha, and in traditional medicine.
- Health Benefits: Controls blood sugar, aids digestion, and supports liver health.
To Prep: Wash or squeeze several times to remove bitterness.
5. Scent Leaf (Ocimum gratissimum):
- Where It Grows: Common in backyard gardens and open fields.
- Identification: Green bushy plant with a distinct peppery smell.
- Edible Parts: Leaves.
- Uses: Used in pepper soups, yam porridge, and teas.
- Health Benefits: Antibacterial, antifungal, and good for respiratory health.
Cultural Tip: Used in many Igbo and Yoruba traditional herbal mixes.
6. Wild Spinach (Amaranthus spinosus):
- Where It Grows: Found in farmlands, roadsides, and gardens.
- Identification: Spiny stems, green leaves, reddish veins.
- Edible Parts: Leaves.
- Uses: Cooked as a vegetable, sometimes mixed with other greens.
- Health Benefits: Rich in protein, calcium, and vitamin A.
Note: Young leaves taste better; avoid those grown on polluted soils.
7. Monkey Kola (Cola pachycarpa):
- Where It Grows: Forest areas in the South-East.
- Identification: Looks like small, round fruit with tough skin and juicy pulp.
- Edible Parts: Pulp.
- Uses: Eaten raw as a snack.
- Health Benefits: Provides vitamin C, aids digestion, and refreshes.
Trivia: Often sold by rural women in local markets.
8. Baobab (Adansonia digitata):
- Where It Grows: Mostly in the North and middle belt.
- Identification: Massive tree with thick trunk and fruit pods.
- Edible Parts: Fruit pulp and leaves.
- Uses: Fruit is mixed into drinks or smoothies; leaves are used in soups.
- Health Benefits: High in vitamin C, calcium, and antioxidants.
Pro Tip: Dried pulp makes a great natural energy booster.
9. African Star Apple (Chrysophyllum albidum):
- Where It Grows: Common in the South-West.
- Identification: Orange fruit with tough skin and sticky pulp.
- Edible Parts: Pulp.
- Uses: Eaten raw; pulp is sucked or used in local candies.
- Health Benefits: Great source of vitamin C and fiber.
Fun Fact: Known as Agbalumo or Udara in local dialects.
10. Bush Okra (Corchorus olitorius):
- Where It Grows: Abundant in the North and parts of the South.
- Identification: Long green leaves, used in draw soups.
- Edible Parts: Leaves.
- Uses: Cooked as ewedu soup in Yoruba cuisine.
- Health Benefits: Boosts digestion, iron levels, and heart health.
Note: Best when fresh; overcooking reduces its benefits.
Traditional Recipes and Culinary Ideas
If you grew up in Nigeria, chances are you’ve eaten many of these plants without realizing how special they are.
But in case you’re wondering how to prepare them, here are some ideas:
- Afang Soup: Made with waterleaf and afang (wild spinach), seasoned with crayfish, palm oil, and meat.
- Ogbono Soup: Ground African bush mango seeds cooked with stockfish, meat, and okra.
- Ewedu Soup: Slimy green bush okra leaves blended and simmered with local spices. Commonly eaten with amala.
- Pepper Soup with Scent Leaf: A spicy broth often used for treating colds or eaten after childbirth.
- Edikang Ikong Soup: Rich soup with fluted pumpkin leaves and waterleaf.
Medicinal and Nutritional Benefits
Aside from being tasty, they’re power-packed with nutrients that many modern vegetables can’t beat:
- High in Vitamins: Like vitamin A (wild spinach), C (monkey kola, baobab), and E (pumpkin seeds).
- Rich in Iron: Especially fluted pumpkin, bush okra, and bitter leaf.
- Digestive Support: Scent leaf, bush okra, and baobab help cleanse and regulate the gut.
- Blood Sugar Regulation: Bitter leaf and bush mango may help control sugar levels.
Many are used in traditional medicine to treat:
- Malaria (scent leaf)
- Anemia (pumpkin leaves)
- Diarrhea (baobab pulp)
- Skin infections (bitter leaf)
Conservation of Wild Edible Plants
Despite their importance, some of these wild plants are under threat. Urban development, deforestation, and climate change are wiping out natural habitats.
What can you do?
- Grow some in your backyard: Fluted pumpkin, scent leaf, and waterleaf are easy to grow.
- Buy from local farmers and women traders.
- Join community gardens or eco-clubs to learn and spread awareness.
- Avoid overharvesting when foraging.
Protecting wild plants also means preserving local food culture, medicine, and biodiversity.
Final Thoughts
Wild edible plants in Nigeria are more than just bush food. They’re nature’s free pharmacy, nutrient warehouse, and cultural memory.
Learning about them reconnects us to our roots and empowers us to use what’s around us.
So next time you see waterleaf by the roadside or monkey kola at the village market, don’t ignore it. That plant could be a meal, a medicine, or even a business.