Article 64: "Odunkun"- The "Lesser Yam"

By S. Olanrewaju Disu

A very palatable and nutritious agricultural product that comes out during the latter part of the rainy season is the "lesser yam", loxally called "Odunkun" in the vernacular. It is biologically called "Dioscorea esculanta, Family Dioscoreaceae".

The lesser yam grows like the conventional yam-i.e climbing up to about twelve meters high on stakes. When matured, it has numerous shallow-rooted tubers. The tubers are relatively small compared with conventional yams, and they are found in clusters of some 5 to 20, slightly below the surface of the soil.

"Odunkun", the lessser yam, is cultivated around the coastal south of Nigeria, up to the Yoruba-speaking south-westhern part of the country. It is a 6-10 months crop with short dormancy period. Though the yield is high, the tubers do not store well; they are not suitable for transport to distant markets. The main advantage is that when cooked by boiling, the tubers are paslatable and nutritious!

PHOTO:

"Odunkun", the Lesser Yam", on sale at a rural market on the outskirts of Lagos State.

Article 63: African Cucumber/Balsan Pear

By S. Olnarewaju Disu

The above-named plant, which is prominet during the rains, is a climber or trailer, having annual stems that grow to about five meters in lenght. Here in Lagos State, it is called "Ejinrin nla" or "Ejinrin weeri". Historically, the " African Cucumber" is widespraed throughout the tropics, especailly in lowland rain-forests as well as wooded areas.

Botanically, the "African Cucumber" is known as the "Mormordica chanrantia, Family Cucurbitaceae"; in other words, it is a plant of the gourd family. The name "African Cucumber" is derived from the fruit of this vine.

The principal uses of the plant are as a laxative, for stomach-ache and to treat fevers. Here in Nigeria, the leaves are steeped in water for taking internally against diarrhea and dysentery. The plant is also used as an aphrodisiac and administered in lager doses for gonorrhea.

Traditionally, the leaves and indeed the whole plant are used for treatment of diverse ailments: tooth-ache in children, boils, ulcers, septic swellings and infected feet.

The "African Cucumber" plant is often available for sale on weekly market-days in large markets in Lagos area, e.g the "Oyingbo" market, the "Mushin" market and the "Agege" market. Indeed, most farmers bring down the plants on special request from traditional herbal sellers at dawn on market days.

Photo's:

(A) The "African Cucumber"- or "Ejinrin" on sale at the "Agege" market.

(B) The leaf of the "African Cucumber".