Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Sweet potato
(
Ipomoea batatas
)
The sweet potato is grown primarily in annual food farms, or in home gardens.
They are propagated on mounds or beds from vine cuttings. The use of sweet
potato leaves as spinach is not widespread.
Gboma
(
Solanum macrocarpon
)
Gboma
species, like
Ademe
(
Corchorus olitorius
) and
Sorbui
, are popular
leafy vegetables in the Volta region, home of the Ewe-speaking people of
Ghana. The three species are found primarily in settlements of Ewe migrants in
the demonstration sites. The culture of
gboma
is similar to that of garden
eggs. Both are normally nursed and transplanted. The leaves are cut up and used
in the preparation of soups.
Gboma
is cultivated mainly in home gardens, but
sometimes it occurs in crop farms. Where water is available, it is maintained
as a perennial or replanted from seeds that are saved from one planting season
to the next.
Ademe/bush okra
(
Corchorus olitorius
)
Ademe
is propagated from seeds. It occurs primarily in settlements of Ewe
migrants. In one non-Ewe settlement where the crop was found, the respondent
had stayed in northern Ghana for a long time and had acquired the taste from
there. The crop is maintained from seeds that are saved from mature crops from
one season to the next.
Amaranthus or aleefu
(
Amaranthus hybridus
)
Amaranthus is a popular vegetable savoured by the northern communities. It is
easily established by broadcasting the dry seeds. It also grows wild and matures
four to six weeks after sowing. Amaranthus is harvested by uprooting the whole
plant or by topping and used in the preparation of soups or stews. The crop normally
regenerates at the beginning of the rainy season from fallen seeds. In a few cases,
the farmers save the panicles containing the seeds for future planting.
Stinging nettle/honhon
(
Fleurya aestuans
)
The stinging nettle grows wild in plantations, agroforestries, and fallows. The
leaves are reported to be excellent for pregnant women. They reportedly aid
proper foetus development and prevent anaemia. This leaf is best known to the
Twi-speaking ethnic group.
Nyanyina
(
Mormordica charantia
)
Nyanyina
is a climbing plant. It grows wild, especially on newly opened forests.
The leaves are used in soups or stews. They are mostly collected from the wild.
The seeds may be collected and dried for future planting. The leaves are also used
for the treatment of snake bites and hypertension.
