Msorokra

Msorokra africana is a flowering plant in the Fabaceae family, native to tropical West Africa with populations reported in coastal and lowland forest zones. The species is valued for its edible pods and leaves, which feature in regional cuisines.

It is a woody vine or climbing shrub that can reach several meters in height. Leaves are pinnate with 3–5 leaflets. Flowers appear in racemes and are typically yellow to orange, with a papilionaceous corolla. The fruit is a flattened pod, about 6–12 cm long, containing several seeds that are brown or mottled and used as a protein source in traditional diets.

It grows best in well-drained soils in tropical forests, forest edges, and savanna-forest mosaics, from sea level up to about 800 meters. It prefers areas with seasonal rainfall around 1000–1600 mm annually. The plant is primarily pollinated by native bees, and seeds are dispersed by animals. As a legume, it can fix atmospheric nitrogen and may contribute to soil fertility in mixed cropping systems.

Smallholder farmers cultivate the plant for pods and leaves. Seed propagation is by dry or fresh seeds, with planting depth around 2–3 cm and trellising improving yield. Pods can be harvested immature for greens or mature for seeds. Nutritional content is high in protein and minerals, and leaves provide vitamins. In traditional medicine, various parts are used, though scientific evidence is limited.

There is limited formal assessment of its conservation status. Habitat loss and overharvesting pose potential threats. The name msorokra derives from local languages in its region of origin, where the plant is commonly used as a food source.