Common Name:

General Information

Ritchiea albersii is a shrub or small tree growing from 2 - 15 metres tall. The stems arise from underground tubers[].
The tubers of this plant are harvested from the wild for use as a food only when other, better foods are not available[].

Known Hazards

Although sometimes used for food, the roots are known to be toxic[]. They need to be carefully prepared in order to remove the toxins[].

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - Nigeria, Cameroon, eastern DR Congo, southern Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Habitat

Upland rainforest, often at margins, less common in rainforest at lower elevations and in evergreen thicket, at elevations from 1,100 - 2,400 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	10.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

Tubers - cooked[]. The tubers are peeled, soaked in water for several days and then dried in the sun. The dried tubers are pounded into flour which is used to make porridge[]. The tubers can be peeled and cooked. The water needs to be drained several times during the cooking process in order to reduce the concentration of toxic constituents[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The white wood is soft[]. It is used to make tool handles[].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed -
Cuttings

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