List of Edible Seeds (Nutrition & Uses)

1) Citrullus colocynthis (Egusi seeds – Melon)

English Name(s): Melon Seeds, Bitter cucumber seeds, Bitter apple seeds, Desert gourd seeds,       Wild gourd seeds, Vine of Sodom seeds
Local Name(s):   Nigeria (Egusi), Ghana (Agushi or Akatoa), Ibara, Wild Watermelon
Botanical Name:  Citrullus colocynthis

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2) Irvingia gabonensis Seeds (Ogbono)

English Name:      African Bush Mango Seeds , Bush mango seeds, Wild mango seeds. 
Local Name(s):     Ogbono/ Ugiri (Igbo), Apon/ Aapon (Yoruba), Goron/Goronor (Hausa), 
                   Ogwi (Benin), Mbukpabuyo (Efik/ Ibibio), Apioro (Niger- Delta), 
                   Manguier/Sauvage (French), Dika , Odika, Iba-Tree, Duiker Nut e.t.c. 
Botanical Name(s): Irvingia gabonensis

“According to Ladipo et al., (1996), the Irvingia genus is made up of 7 species comprising of Irvingia wombolu, Irvingia gabonensis, Irvingia giarobur, Irvingia excels, Irvingia malayaria, Irvingia gradifolia and Irvingia smithii. Unlike the pulp of some other Irvingia spp., the pulp of Irvingia gabonensis is edible, sweet and juicy. Irvingia gabonensis is closely related to Irvingia wombolu. While Irvingia wombolu bears inedible and bitter fruits, the Irvingia gabonensis bears edible ones. Irvingia excelsa Mildbr fruit pulp is hard and inedible while Irvingia smithii Hook.f. fresh fruit is sweet and edible.” 

Nutritional Info

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3) Sesamum indicum Seeds (sesame seeds)

English Name:   Sesame Seeds
Local Name: -
Botanical Name: Sesamum indicum

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4) Pentaclethra macrophylla seeds

English Name:     African Oil Bean
Local Name(s):    Apara (Yoruba), Ugba/ Ukpaka (Igbo)
Botanical Name: Pentaclethra macrophylla

“The African oil bean (Pentaclethra macrophylla) is a native of tropical Africa and belongs to the family Leguminosea. It is popular in Nigeria where it is known by several names such as Apara in Yoruba for the seed as well as the fermented product and the most prominent being Ugba (Igbo), as it is a popular condiment and meat analogue among consuming populations (Enujiugha and Akanbi, 2005).”

“The tree thrives in the Eastern and Southern parts of Nigeria. It grows to a height of about 21 m up to 6 m in girth and it is well branched, forming crown-like canopy. It flowers between March and April after which the pods (brown and woody when matured) open by explosive mechanism, dispersing the seeds and curls up. The seeds are dorso-ventrally flattered, hard, brown in colour and about 6 cm long and 3 cm wide (Achinewhu et al., 1998)”

“P. macrophylla has been reported to be rich in protein (48%), amino acids (Ikediobi, 1981)” 

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5) Salvia hispanica seeds (chia seeds)

English Name:   Chia seeds 
Local Name:     -
Botanical Name: Salvia hispanica but mostly identified as Salvia hispanica L. or Salvia columbariae Benth

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6) Coriandrum sativum seeds

English Name: Coriander Seeds, cilantro seeds, Chinese parsley seeds
Local Name: -
Botanical Name: Coriandrum sativum

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7) Linum usitatissimum seeds

English Name (s): Common flax , Linseed
Local Name:       - 
Botanical Name:   Linum usitatissimum

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8) Ataiko Seed

English Name:
Local Name:     Ataiko / Urima / Erima
Botanical Name:

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9) Iregege Seed

English Name:
Local Name:     Iregege
Botanical Name:

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10) Nigella sativa seeds

English Name:  Black Seed
Botanical Name:Nigella sativa
Other Name(s): Black caraway, Nigelle de Crête, Black Cumin, Cheveux de Vénus, Cominho Negro,       Comino Negro, Cyah Dane, Cumin Noir, Fennel Flower, Fitch, Graine de Nigelle, Graine Noire, Habatul Sauda, Kalajaji, Kalajira, Kalonji, La Grainer Noire, Love in a Mist, Nutmeg Flower, Poivrette, Roman-Coriander, Schwarzkummel, Siyah Dane, Toute Épice, Upakuncika, Shoniz, Small Fennel, Fennel Flower

11) Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds

English Name:   Fenugreek, 
Local Name:     Samudra methi (India)
Botanical Name: Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds

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Fruits that look like seeds