Abstract
The geocarpa groundnut, Kerstingiella geocarpa Harms, is grown only in the northern and upper regions of Ghana. The seeds of this crop are produced in 1-or 2- or rarely 3-loculed pods which mature on or under the soil surface. The fresh mature or dry seeds are used for food, and they serve as a source of protein supplement in the local diet. The seeds are also said to have medicinal and emetic properties. Among the Sisalas in Ghana the boiled seeds are the only food served to surviving children during the final funeral rites of their mothers.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Literature Cited
Anonymous. 1933. Farm yields in Zuarungu. Gold Coast Farmer 1: 172.
Irvine, F. R. 1969. West African Crops. Vol. 2, pp. 204–210. Oxford Univ. Press, London.
Maréchal, R. and J. C. Baudet. 1977. Transfert du genre africain Kerstingiella Harms à Macrotyloma (Wright & Arn.) Verdc. (Papilionaceae). Bull. Jard. Bot. Nat. Belge 47: 49–52.
Verdcourt, B. 1978. The demise of two geocarpic legume genera. Taxon 27: 219–222.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This study was supported by a grant from the African-American Scholars Council.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Amuti, K. Geocarpa groundnut (Kerstingiella geocarpa) in Ghana. Econ Bot 34, 358–361 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02858310
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02858310