Native plants of the West & Central African forests
These 22 plants belong to the West & Central African forests. They were here before the gardens were: they know the weather, live on the rain that falls, and feed the insects and birds that grew up alongside them. Plant a few and your yard starts to fit its place.
Signature plant: Bush mango (ogbono), native here and in no other world region on this list.
Berries and small fruit (1)
- Miracle berry · zones 10–12
Tropical and subtropical food plants (11)
- Ackee · zones 10–12
- African breadfruit (ukwa) · zones 11–12
- African oil bean (ugba) · zones 11–12
- African oil palm · zones 10–12
- Bush mango (ogbono) · zones 11–12
- Calabash nutmeg (ehuru) · zones 10–12
- Kola nut · zones 10–12
- Prekese (aidan fruit) · zones 11–12
- Robusta coffee · zones 11–12
- Safou (African pear) · zones 10–12
- Velvet tamarind (yoyi) · zones 10–12
Perennial vegetables, greens and herbs (6)
- Bitter leaf · zones 10–12
- Fluted pumpkin (ugu) · zones 10–12
- Grains of paradise (alligator pepper) · zones 10–12
- Okazi (eru) · zones 11–12
- Uziza (West African pepper) · zones 10–12
- White yam (Guinea yam) · zones 9–12
Annual vegetables, herbs and grains (4)
- African nightshade (mnavu) · zones 6–12
- Egusi melon · zones 8–12
- Garden egg (African eggplant) · zones 9–12
- Okra · zones 2–11
Open the natives of West & Central African forests in the planner
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All regions · Plants by hardiness zone
General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home