Sphenostylis

Sphenostylis is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae. It belongs to the subfamily Faboideae. Sphenostylis contains several species useful as food sources including Sphenostylis stenocarpa.

Sphenostylis stenocarpa belongs to the Fabaceae family characterized by its fruit (legume) and stipulated leaves. Three species of Sphenostylis are important food sources in Africa, including the under-exploited African Yam Bean or Sphenostylis stenocarpa, which can be consumed as dry cooked seeds or tuber. Seeds are usually added to soups, made into sauces, or milled into flour. The African yam bean is grown in countries of West Africa such as Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo. The tuber grows as the root source, while the yam bean develops into the pod containing 20-30 seeds found above the ground. These seeds can be found in colors including brown, black, and red varieties. It grows as a vine to heights of about 3m and produces brightly colored flowers in 100–150 days.