Plants & Animals of South Africa

549 species — 2 curated with local names, 547 regional · Africa · English, Zulu, Afrikaans, Xhosa.

Regional highlights

Savanna and dry-forest flora dominated by acacias, baobabs and shea trees
Rich ethnobotanical traditions: bitter leaf, moringa, roselle and neem
Large-mammal megafauna and wetlands of continental importance

Animals

iBhubesi
Panthera leo
Zulu
iNdlovu
Loxodonta africana
Zulu

Regional species

African palm weevil
Rhynchophorus phoenicis
Curculionidae
edible larvaeprotein
Castor bean
Ricinus communis
Euphorbiaceae
ogiri seasoningoilogiri condiment
Sugarcane
Saccharum officinarum
Poaceae
chewing canesugar
African peach
Sarcocephalus latifolius
Rubiaceae
malaria rootfruit
Round sardinella
Sardinella aurita
Clupeidae
marine fishery
Madeiran sardinella
Sardinella maderensis
Clupeidae
coastal fishery
Blackchin tilapia
Sarotherodon melanotheron
Cichlidae
lagoon fishery
African common toad
Sclerophrys regularis
Bufonidae
insect control
West African Spanish mackerel
Scomberomorus tritor
Scombridae
marine fishery
Hamerkop
Scopus umbretta
Scopidae
wetland birdfolklore
Violet tree
Securidaca longipedunculata
Polygalaceae
pain relief rootritual
Gum acacia
Senegalia senegal
Fabaceae
gum arabiccash cropgum arabic export
Coffee senna
Senna occidentalis
Fabaceae
feverliver
Kassod tree
Senna siamea
Fabaceae
firewoodshade
Beniseed
Sesamum indicum
Pedaliaceae
oilseedssoup thickener
Black benniseed leaf
Sesamum radiatum
Pedaliaceae
draw soup
Wireweed
Sida acuta
Malvaceae
malariawound
Giant pangolin
Smutsia gigantea
Manidae
endangered
Garden egg
Solanum aethiopicum
Solanaceae
fruithospitalityfruit vegetable
Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
Solanaceae
stewlycopene
Black nightshade
Solanum nigrum
Solanaceae
vegetableeye health
Rizga / Sudan potato
Solenostemon rotundifolius
Lamiaceae
tuber food
African yam bean
Sphenostylis stenocarpa
Fabaceae
protein foodproteintubers
Laughing dove
Spilopelia senegalensis
Columbidae
urban dove
Hog plum
Spondias mombin
Anacardiaceae
fruitwomen's healthleaf for labour
Red-eyed dove
Streptopelia semitorquata
Columbidae
woodland dovecommon dove
Bush duiker
Sylvicapra grimmia
Bovidae
bushmeatsavanna
Forest buffalo
Syncerus caffer nanus
Bovidae
forest grazer
Mandi catfish
Synodontis clarias
Mochokidae
river fishery
Miracle fruit
Synsepalum dulcificum
Sapotaceae
sweetener berry
Waterberry
Syzygium guineense
Myrtaceae
fruitriverbank tree
Teak
Tectona grandis
Lamiaceae
timberplantationpoles
Indian almond
Terminalia catappa
Combretaceae
fruitshade
White afara
Terminalia superba
Combretaceae
timber
African walnut
Tetracarpidium conophorum
Euphorbiaceae
snack nutfertility
Cocoa
Theobroma cacao
Malvaceae
cash cropchocolate
Greater cane rat (grasscutter)
Thryonomys swinderianus
Thryonomyidae
bushmeatfarming
Redbelly tilapia
Tilapia zillii
Cichlidae
inland fishery
Lappet-faced vulture
Torgos tracheliotos
Accipitridae
scavenger
Shortfin pompano
Trachinotus teraia
Carangidae
coastal fishery
Bushbuck
Tragelaphus scriptus
Bovidae
forest antelopebushmeat
African breadfruit
Treculia africana
Moraceae
ukwa porridge
West African manatee
Trichechus senegalensis
Trichechidae
river & lagoon mammalendangered river mammal
African softshell turtle
Trionyx triunguis
Trionychidae
river turtle
Obeche
Triplochiton scleroxylon
Malvaceae
timberplywoodlight timber
Wheat
Triticum aestivum
Poaceae
flourbread
Guinea turaco
Turaco persa
Musophagidae
forest fruit eater
Brown babbler
Turdoides plebejus
Leiothrichidae
thicket bird
Periwinkle
Tympanotonos fuscatus
Potamididae
seafoodbanga soup
Barn owl
Tyto alba
Tytonidae
rodent control
Sugar plum
Uapaca togoensis
Phyllanthaceae
fruitwoodland
West African fiddler crab
Uca tangeri
Ocypodidae
mangrove ecology
Bush banana
Uvaria chamae
Annonaceae
wound carehaemostatic
Gum arabic tree
Vachellia nilotica
Fabaceae
tanningum
Nile monitor
Varanus niloticus
Varanidae
riverbank reptileskin tradewetlands
Pin-tailed whydah
Vidua macroura
Viduidae
brood parasite
Bambara groundnut
Vigna subterranea
Fabaceae
okpaprotein
Black plum
Vitex doniana
Lamiaceae
fruitanaemialeafy vegetable
Tannia cocoyam
Xanthosoma sagittifolium
Araceae
staplethickenerstaple food
Müller's clawed frog
Xenopus muelleri
Pipidae
aquatic frog
Striped ground squirrel
Xerus erythropus
Sciuridae
farmland rodent
Maize
Zea mays
Poaceae
pap (ogi)stapleroasted corn
Ginger
Zingiber officinale
Zingiberaceae
spicecold & flu
Variegated grasshopper
Zonocerus variegatus
Pyrgomorphidae
cassava pest
Gum acacia
Acacia senegal
Fabaceae
gum arabic
Lebbeck tree
Albizia lebbeck
Fabaceae
shadefodder
African wormwood
Artemisia afra
Asteraceae
coldsfever
Blackjack
Bidens pilosa
Asteraceae
leaf vegetablemalaria
Frankincense tree
Boswellia sacra
Burseraceae
resinincense
Bridelia
Bridelia ferruginea
Phyllanthaceae
diabetesmouthwash
Bush plum
Carissa spinarum
Apocynaceae
fruithedge
Khat
Catha edulis
Celastraceae
stimulant leaf
Veldt grape
Cissus quadrangularis
Vitaceae
bone healing
Spider plant (African cabbage)
Cleome gynandra
Cleomaceae
leaf vegetable
Cochlospermum
Cochlospermum tinctorium
Bixaceae
yellow dyejaundice
Myrrh
Commiphora myrrha
Burseraceae
resinantiseptic
Sunn hemp
Crotalaria juncea
Fabaceae
fibregreen manure
Melon
Cucumis melo
Cucurbitaceae
fruit
Papyrus
Cyperus papyrus
Cyperaceae
paperwetland
Bermuda grass
Cynodon dactylon
Poaceae
lawnfodder
Tallow tree
Detarium senegalense
Fabaceae
fruitsoup thickener
Tree dracaena
Dracaena arborea
Asparagaceae
boundary marker
Coral tree
Erythrina senegalensis
Fabaceae
malariafence
Sycamore fig
Ficus sycomorus
Moraceae
fruitshade
Grewia
Grewia mollis
Malvaceae
soup thickenerfibre
Indian heliotrope
Heliotropium indicum
Boraginaceae
woundstoxic
Orange bird berry
Hoslundia opposita
Lamiaceae
feverfruit
White rubber vine
Landolphia owariensis
Apocynaceae
fruitrubber
Lannea
Lannea acida
Anacardiaceae
fruitdye
Yadiya
Leptadenia hastata
Apocynaceae
leaf vegetable
Maerua
Maerua crassifolia
Capparaceae
fodderfamine food
Maranthes
Maranthes polyandra
Chrysobalanaceae
timberfruit
White's ginger
Mondia whitei
Apocynaceae
aphrodisiacappetite
Brimstone tree
Morinda lucida
Rubiaceae
malariayellow dye
Egyptian white lotus
Nymphaea lotus
Nymphaeaceae
ritualfood
Hoary basil
Ocimum americanum
Lamiaceae
mosquito repellenttea
Savanna bamboo
Oxytenanthera abyssinica
Poaceae
constructionwine
Proso millet
Panicum miliaceum
Poaceae
grain
Bread and cheese
Paullinia pinnata
Sapindaceae
woundsfish poison
Elephant grass
Pennisetum purpureum
Poaceae
fodder
Senegal date palm
Phoenix reclinata
Arecaceae
fruitwine
Phyllanthus
Phyllanthus muellerianus
Phyllanthaceae
woundsmalaria
Dry-zone cedar
Pseudocedrela kotschyi
Meliaceae
chewing sticktimber
Rothmannia
Rothmannia longiflora
Rubiaceae
dyefruit
Violet tree
Securidaca longepedunculata
Polygalaceae
snakebitemedicine
Foxtail millet
Setaria italica
Poaceae
grain
Karaya gum tree
Sterculia setigera
Malvaceae
gumfodder
Monkey orange
Strychnos spinosa
Loganiaceae
fruit
Tabernaemontana
Tabernaemontana pachysiphon
Apocynaceae
medicine
Mexican sunflower
Tithonia diversifolia
Asteraceae
green manuremalaria
Wild loquat
Uapaca kirkiana
Phyllanthaceae
fruit
Ironweed
Vernonia colorata
Asteraceae
malariabitter vegetable
Voacanga
Voacanga africana
Apocynaceae
alkaloidsmedicine
Sour plum
Ximenia americana
Ximeniaceae
fruitoil
Candlewood (orin ata)
Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides
Rutaceae
chewing sticksickle cell
Christ's thorn jujube
Ziziphus spina-christi
Rhamnaceae
fruitshade
Addax
Addax nasomaculatus
Bovidae
desert antelopecritically endangered
Lord Derby's scaly-tailed squirrel
Anomalurus derbianus
Anomaluridae
gliding mammal
Marsh mongoose
Atilax paludinosus
Herpestidae
wetland carnivore
Gaboon viper
Bitis gabonica
Viperidae
longest fangs
Dromedary
Camelus dromedarius
Camelidae
desert transportmilk
Black-backed jackal
Canis mesomelas
Canidae
scavenger
Caracal
Caracal caracal
Felidae
desert cat
Southern cassowary
Casuarius casuarius
Casuariidae
dangerous flightless bird
Vervet monkey
Chlorocebus pygerythrus
Cercopithecidae
savanna primate
Topi
Damaliscus lunatus
Bovidae
savanna antelope
Black mamba
Dendroaspis polylepis
Elapidae
venomous snake
Tree hyrax
Dendrohyrax arboreus
Procaviidae
nocturnal
Dugong
Dugong dugon
Dugongidae
sea cow
Rufous elephant shrew
Elephantulus rufescens
Macroscelididae
sengi
Franquet's fruit bat
Epomops franqueti
Pteropodidae
seed disperser
Grevy's zebra
Equus grevyi
Equidae
endangered
African wildcat
Felis lybica
Felidae
ancestor of house cat
Eastern gorilla
Gorilla beringei
Hominidae
mountain gorilla
White-backed vulture
Gyps africanus
Accipitridae
critically endangered scavenger
Yellow-spotted rock hyrax
Heterohyrax brucei
Procaviidae
rock dweller
Sable antelope
Hippotragus niger
Bovidae
savanna antelope
Striped hyena
Hyaena hyaena
Hyaenidae
scavenger
Superb starling
Lamprotornis superbus
Sturnidae
colourful bird
Serval
Leptailurus serval
Felidae
tall-eared cat
Marabou stork
Leptoptilos crumenifer
Ciconiidae
scavenger
Barbary macaque
Macaca sylvanus
Cercopithecidae
only African macaque
Mandrill
Mandrillus sphinx
Cercopithecidae
colourful primate
Banded mongoose
Mungos mungo
Herpestidae
social carnivore
Numbat
Myrmecobius fasciatus
Myrmecobiidae
termite specialist
Okapi
Okapia johnstoni
Giraffidae
forest giraffe
Klipspringer
Oreotragus oreotragus
Bovidae
rock antelope
Scimitar-horned oryx
Oryx dammah
Bovidae
reintroduced species
Gemsbok
Oryx gazella
Bovidae
desert antelope
Bat-eared fox
Otocyon megalotis
Canidae
insect eater
Bonobo
Pan paniscus
Hominidae
great ape
Great white pelican
Pelecanus onocrotalus
Pelecanidae
wetland bird
Lesser flamingo
Phoeniconaias minor
Phoenicopteridae
soda lake bird
Martial eagle
Polemaetus bellicosus
Accipitridae
largest African eagle
Rock hyrax
Procavia capensis
Procaviidae
elephant relative
Striped sand snake
Psammophis sibilans
Lamprophiidae
fast snake
Steenbok
Raphicerus campestris
Bovidae
small antelope
Lander's horseshoe bat
Rhinolophus landeri
Rhinolophidae
echolocation
Secretarybird
Sagittarius serpentarius
Sagittariidae
snake hunter
Blue-barred parrotfish
Scarus ghobban
Scaridae
reef fishsand maker
African penguin
Spheniscus demersus
Spheniscidae
endangered penguin
East African mole-rat
Tachyoryctes splendens
Spalacidae
burrowing rodent
Guinea turaco
Tauraco persa
Musophagidae
green forest bird
Common eland
Taurotragus oryx
Bovidae
largest antelope
Red-and-yellow barbet
Trachyphonus erythrocephalus
Lybiidae
colourful bird
West Indian manatee
Trichechus manatus
Trichechidae
coastal herbivore
Savannah monitor
Varanus exanthematicus
Varanidae
pet lizard
Fennec fox
Vulpes zerda
Canidae
smallest fox
Spur-winged lapwing
Vanellus spinosus
Charadriidae
wetland bird
House sparrow
Passer domesticus
Passeridae
urban bird
Western honey bee
Apis mellifera
Apidae
honeypollination
Lemon
Citrus limon
Rutaceae
fruitvitamin C
Pumpkin
Cucurbita pepo
Cucurbitaceae
foodseeds
Madagascar periwinkle
Catharanthus roseus
Apocynaceae
alkaloidsornamental
Brown rat
Rattus norvegicus
Muridae
commensal mammal
Peregrine falcon
Falco peregrinus
Falconidae
raptor
Monarch butterfly
Danaus plexippus
Nymphalidae
migratory insect
Silver fir
Abies alba
Pinaceae
timberessential oil
Century plant
Agave americana
Asparagaceae
fibresyrup
Spring onion
Allium fistulosum
Amaryllidaceae
food
Chives
Allium schoenoprasum
Amaryllidaceae
culinary herb
Red amaranth
Amaranthus cruentus
Amaranthaceae
grainleaf vegetable
Cedar of Lebanon
Cedrus libani
Pinaceae
timbernational tree
Jimsonweed
Datura stramonium
Solanaceae
toxicasthma (historic)
Fig
Ficus carica
Moraceae
fruit
Aubergine
Solanum melongena
Solanaceae
vegetable
Eurasian sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisus
Accipitridae
raptor
Common myna
Acridotheres tristis
Sturnidae
urban bird
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
Anatidae
dabbling duck
Common swift
Apus apus
Apodidae
aerial insectivore
Grey heron
Ardea cinerea
Ardeidae
wetland bird
Common buzzard
Buteo buteo
Accipitridae
raptor
Grey wolf
Canis lupus
Canidae
apex predator
Domestic dog
Canis familiaris
Canidae
companionworking animal
Great white shark
Carcharodon carcharias
Lamnidae
apex marine predator
Goldfish
Carassius auratus
Cyprinidae
ornamental fish
Seven-spot ladybird
Coccinella septempunctata
Coccinellidae
aphid control
Mute swan
Cygnus olor
Anatidae
ornamental waterfowl
Common carp
Cyprinus carpio
Cyprinidae
food fish
Horse
Equus caballus
Equidae
transportsport
Donkey
Equus asinus
Equidae
pack animal
Common kestrel
Falco tinnunculus
Falconidae
hovering raptor
Domestic cat
Felis catus
Felidae
companion animal
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebs
Fringillidae
songbird
Herring gull
Larus argentatus
Laridae
coastal bird
House mouse
Mus musculus
Muridae
commensal rodent
Orca
Orcinus orca
Delphinidae
apex marine predator
Great tit
Parus major
Paridae
garden bird
Black redstart
Phoenicurus ochruros
Muscicapidae
urban bird
Sperm whale
Physeter macrocephalus
Physeteridae
deep diver
Common pipistrelle
Pipistrellus pipistrellus
Vespertilionidae
insect-eating bat
Black rat
Rattus rattus
Muridae
commensal rodent
Whale shark
Rhincodon typus
Rhincodontidae
largest fish
Atlantic mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Scombridae
food fish
Common starling
Sturnus vulgaris
Sturnidae
murmuration bird
Wild boar
Sus scrofa
Suidae
forest omnivore
Domestic pig
Sus scrofa domesticus
Suidae
meat
Atlantic bluefin tuna
Thunnus thynnus
Scombridae
prized food fish
Common blackbird
Turdus merula
Turdidae
garden songbird
Bottlenose dolphin
Tursiops truncatus
Delphinidae
intelligent cetacean
Northern lapwing
Vanellus vanellus
Charadriidae
farmland wader
Mourning dove
Zenaida macroura
Columbidae
common bird
Viviparous lizard
Zootoca vivipara
Lacertidae
live-bearing lizard
Baobab
Adansonia digitata
Malvaceae
fruit powdervitamin C
Shea tree
Vitellaria paradoxa
Sapotaceae
shea butterskin care
Roselle / sorrel
Hibiscus sabdariffa
Malvaceae
drinkblood pressure
Jute mallow (ewedu)
Corchorus olitorius
Malvaceae
soupiron-rich
Scent leaf
Ocimum gratissimum
Lamiaceae
stomach achecooking
Bitter leaf
Vernonia amygdalina
Asteraceae
malariasoup
Neem
Azadirachta indica
Meliaceae
antimalarialskin
Oil palm
Elaeis guineensis
Arecaceae
palm oilwine
White yam
Dioscorea rotundata
Dioscoreaceae
staple food
Sorghum
Sorghum bicolor
Poaceae
grainporridge
Tamarind
Tamarindus indica
Fabaceae
drinklaxative
Gum arabic tree
Acacia nilotica
Fabaceae
gumtannin
African bush elephant
Loxodonta africana
Elephantidae
Indlovu (Zulu)
keystone species
Lion
Panthera leo
Felidae
Ibhubesi (Zulu)
Leeu (Afrikaans)
apex predator
African buffalo
Syncerus caffer
Bovidae
savanna grazer
Helmeted guineafowl
Numida meleagris
Numididae
poultrymeat
Nile crocodile
Crocodylus niloticus
Crocodylidae
wetland predator
Olive baboon
Papio anubis
Cercopithecidae
woodland primate
Bush mango (ogbono)
Irvingia gabonensis
Irvingiaceae
soup thickener
Njangsa
Ricinodendron heudelotii
Euphorbiaceae
soup condiment
Bitter kola
Garcinia kola
Clusiaceae
coughstimulant
Kola nut
Cola nitida
Malvaceae
stimulantceremony
Grains of Selim (uda)
Xylopia aethiopica
Annonaceae
postnatal tonicspice
Uziza / West African pepper
Piper guineense
Piperaceae
spicedigestive
Calabash nutmeg
Monodora myristica
Annonaceae
spice
Utazi
Gongronema latifolium
Apocynaceae
blood sugarsoup
Fluted pumpkin (ugu)
Telfairia occidentalis
Cucurbitaceae
anaemiavegetable
Waterleaf
Talinum fruticosum
Talinaceae
vegetableminerals
Green amaranth
Amaranthus hybridus
Amaranthaceae
vegetableiron
African eggplant
Solanum macrocarpon
Solanaceae
vegetable
African locust bean (iru)
Parkia biglobosa
Fabaceae
condimentprotein
Aidan fruit (prekese)
Tetrapleura tetraptera
Fabaceae
spicepostnatal care
Marula
Sclerocarya birrea
Anacardiaceae
fruitoil
Indian jujube
Ziziphus mauritiana
Rhamnaceae
fruitdryland tree
Desert date
Balanites aegyptiaca
Zygophyllaceae
oildryland food
Winter thorn
Faidherbia albida
Fabaceae
agroforestryfodder
African mahogany
Khaya senegalensis
Meliaceae
timberfever bark
Stool wood
Alstonia boonei
Apocynaceae
malariatimber
Swizzle stick
Rauvolfia vomitoria
Apocynaceae
hypertension
Ringworm plant
Senna alata
Fabaceae
skin infections
Physic nut
Jatropha curcas
Euphorbiaceae
biofuelhedge
Cashew
Anacardium occidentale
Anacardiaceae
nutfruit
Arabica coffee
Coffea arabica
Rubiaceae
beveragecash crop
Enset / false banana
Ensete ventricosum
Musaceae
staple food
Teff
Eragrostis tef
Poaceae
injeragrain
Pearl millet
Pennisetum glaucum
Poaceae
grainporridge
Finger millet
Eleusine coracana
Poaceae
graincalcium
Cowpea
Vigna unguiculata
Fabaceae
proteinstaple
Siam weed
Chromolaena odorata
Asteraceae
wound healing
Goat weed
Ageratum conyzoides
Asteraceae
woundsfever
Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
Giraffidae
savanna browser
Plains zebra
Equus quagga
Equidae
savanna grazer
White rhinoceros
Ceratotherium simum
Rhinocerotidae
grazerconservation icon
Black rhinoceros
Diceros bicornis
Rhinocerotidae
browsercritically endangered
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
Felidae
fastest land animal
Leopard
Panthera pardus
Felidae
adaptable predator
Spotted hyena
Crocuta crocuta
Hyaenidae
scavengerpredator
African wild dog
Lycaon pictus
Canidae
pack hunter
Hippopotamus
Hippopotamus amphibius
Hippopotamidae
river megafauna
Blue wildebeest
Connochaetes taurinus
Bovidae
great migration
Impala
Aepyceros melampus
Bovidae
savanna antelope
Greater kudu
Tragelaphus strepsiceros
Bovidae
woodland antelope
Waterbuck
Kobus ellipsiprymnus
Bovidae
wetland antelope
Common warthog
Phacochoerus africanus
Suidae
savanna omnivore
Common ostrich
Struthio camelus
Struthionidae
largest bird
Grey crowned crane
Balearica regulorum
Gruidae
wetland bird
Southern ground hornbill
Bucorvus leadbeateri
Bucorvidae
savanna bird
Senegal parrot
Poicephalus senegalus
Psittacidae
woodland parrot
African rock python
Python sebae
Pythonidae
constrictor
Black-necked spitting cobra
Naja nigricollis
Elapidae
venomous snake
Puff adder
Bitis arietans
Viperidae
venomous snake
Western gorilla
Gorilla gorilla
Hominidae
forest primate
Chimpanzee
Pan troglodytes
Hominidae
forest primate
Mantled guereza
Colobus guereza
Cercopithecidae
leaf-eating monkey
White-bellied pangolin
Manis tricuspis
Manidae
trafficked mammal
Aardvark
Orycteropus afer
Orycteropodidae
termite specialist
African sharptooth catfish
Clarias gariepinus
Clariidae
aquaculturefood
Nile perch
Lates niloticus
Latidae
fisheries
Okra
Abelmoschus esculentus
Malvaceae
okro soupfibredraw soup
Copperleaf
Acalypha wilkesiana
Euphorbiaceae
fungal skin infectionskin fungushedge
Giant African land snail
Achatina achatina
Achatinidae
proteiniron
Alligator pepper
Aframomum melegueta
Zingiberaceae
ritualdigestive
Counterwood
Afzelia africana
Fabaceae
akparata souptimber
Rainbow agama
Agama agama
Agamidae
urban lizard
Western hartebeest
Alcelaphus buselaphus
Bovidae
grassland antelope
Christmas bush
Alchornea cordifolia
Euphorbiaceae
wound careulcer
Onion
Allium cepa
Amaryllidaceae
cookingantisepticseasoning
Garlic
Allium sativum
Amaryllidaceae
spiceblood pressureseasoning
Aloe vera
Aloe vera
Asphodelaceae
burnsskin care
Pineapple
Ananas comosus
Bromeliaceae
fruitdigestion
Anaphe silkworm
Anaphe venata
Notodontidae
edible larvaesilk
Domestic duck
Anas platyrhynchos domesticus
Anatidae
meateggs
Gamba grass
Andropogon gayanus
Poaceae
fodderthatch
African darter
Anhinga rufa
Anhingidae
wetland bird
Soursop
Annona muricata
Annonaceae
fruitleaf tea
Wild custard apple
Annona senegalensis
Annonaceae
fruittraditional medicine
African birch
Anogeissus leiocarpa
Combretaceae
timberdyeyellow dye
Malaria mosquito
Anopheles gambiae
Culicidae
malaria vector
Cabbage tree
Anthocleista djalonensis
Gentianaceae
laxativediabetes
West African honey bee
Apis mellifera adansonii
Apidae
honeypollination
Groundnut
Arachis hypogaea
Fabaceae
oilkulikulikuli-kuli
Giant West African snail
Archachatina marginata
Achatinidae
delicacysnail farming
Goliath heron
Ardea goliath
Ardeidae
wetland predator
Brush-tailed porcupine
Atherurus africanus
Hystricidae
forest rodentbushmeat
Black mangrove
Avicennia germinans
Acanthaceae
mangrove habitatcoastal protection
Black crowned crane
Balearica pavonina
Gruidae
wetland birdvulnerable
Bamboo
Bambusa vulgaris
Poaceae
scaffoldingfurniture
Malabar spinach
Basella alba
Basellaceae
cooling vegetable
Ackee apple
Blighia sapida
Sapindaceae
fruitsoap
Red-flowered kapok
Bombax costatum
Malvaceae
soup flowerkapok
African fan palm
Borassus aethiopum
Arecaceae
fruittimberpoles
White Fulani (Bunaji) cattle
Bos taurus
Bovidae
milkbeefpastoralism
Frankincense tree
Boswellia dalzielii
Burseraceae
incenseresinstomach medicine
Achi tree
Brachystegia eurycoma
Fabaceae
soup thickenerachi soup thickener
Never die / life plant
Bryophyllum pinnatum
Crassulaceae
woundskidney
Verreaux's eagle-owl
Bubo lacteus
Strigidae
nocturnal raptor
Cattle egret
Bubulcus ibis
Ardeidae
farmland birdlivestocktick control
Wonderful kola
Buchholzia coriacea
Capparaceae
antimicrobialfertility
Abyssinian ground hornbill
Bucorvus abyssinicus
Bucorvidae
savanna birdfolklore
Pigeon pea
Cajanus cajan
Fabaceae
fiofio stewfiofio soupprotein
West African blue crab
Callinectes amnicola
Portunidae
seafood
Sodom apple
Calotropis procera
Apocynaceae
latex remedyfibrecheese rennet
African golden wolf
Canis anthus
Canidae
Sahel predator
West African dwarf goat
Capra hircus
Bovidae
meatceremony
Tatashe pepper
Capsicum annuum
Solanaceae
stew base
Bird's eye chilli
Capsicum frutescens
Solanaceae
peppercirculationpepper soup
Crabwood
Carapa procera
Meliaceae
skin oilsoap
Pawpaw
Carica papaya
Caricaceae
fruitdigestivemalaria leaf tea
African laburnum
Cassia sieberiana
Fabaceae
laxative roottonic
Silk cotton tree
Ceiba pentandra
Malvaceae
kapoksacred tree
Lagos spinach
Celosia argentea
Amaranthaceae
soup vegetable
African spurred tortoise
Centrochelys sulcata
Testudinidae
Sahel tortoise
Senegal coucal
Centropus senegalensis
Cuculidae
rain-call bird
Black duiker
Cephalophus niger
Bovidae
forest duiker
Black-casqued hornbill
Ceratogymna atrata
Bucerotidae
forest seed disperser
False sesame leaf
Ceratotheca sesamoides
Pedaliaceae
soupvegetable
White-throated guenon
Cercopithecus erythrogaster
Cercopithecidae
Nigeria endemicendangered
Mona monkey
Cercopithecus mona
Cercopithecidae
forest primate
Sclater's guenon
Cercopithecus sclateri
Cercopithecidae
Nigeria endemicsacred in Lagwa
Pied kingfisher
Ceryle rudis
Alcedinidae
river bird
Slender chameleon
Chamaeleo gracilis
Chamaeleonidae
folkloreinsectivoreinsect hunter
Green sea turtle
Chelonia mydas
Cheloniidae
Atlantic coastendangerednesting beaches
Tantalus monkey
Chlorocebus tantalus
Cercopithecidae
farmland primatefarm raider
Bagrid catfish (silver)
Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus
Claroteidae
lagoon fishery
African star apple
Chrysophyllum albidum
Sapotaceae
fruitvitamin C
Shea caterpillar
Cirina forda
Saturniidae
edible caterpillar
Ogbolo
Cissus populnea
Vitaceae
fertility tonicmucilage
Watermelon
Citrullus lanatus
Cucurbitaceae
fruithydrationseed soup
Lime
Citrus aurantifolia
Rutaceae
juicecold remedycough remedy
Grapefruit
Citrus paradisi
Rutaceae
juicevitamin Cfruit
Sweet orange
Citrus sinensis
Rutaceae
fruitjuicevitamin C
African civet
Civettictis civetta
Viverridae
nocturnal omnivorecivet muskomnivore
Tree spinach
Cnidoscolus aconitifolius
Euphorbiaceae
vegetabletonic
Coconut palm
Cocos nucifera
Arecaceae
oildrinkfibre
Robusta coffee
Coffea canephora
Rubiaceae
beveragecash crop
Abata kola
Cola acuminata
Malvaceae
ritualhospitalitystimulant
Cocoyam
Colocasia esculenta
Araceae
soup thickenerstaple
Rock dove / pigeon
Columba livia
Columbidae
urban birdritual
Kinkeliba
Combretum micranthum
Combretaceae
herbal teadigestion
African myrrh
Commiphora africana
Burseraceae
resinperfume
Pied crow
Corvus albus
Corvidae
urban scavenger
Bush cane / ginger lily
Costus afer
Costaceae
coughdiabetes
Harlequin quail
Coturnix delegorguei
Phasianidae
game bird
Yoruban bologi
Crassocephalum rubens
Asteraceae
vegetabledigestive
West African mangrove oyster
Crassostrea gasar
Ostreidae
seafoodmangrove
Gambian pouched rat
Cricetomys gambianus
Nesomyidae
bushmeatlandmine detectionmine detection
West African crocodile
Crocodylus suchus
Crocodylidae
sacred in some townssacred poolswetland predator
Egusi melon
Cucumeropsis mannii
Cucurbitaceae
egusi soupoil
Pumpkin
Cucurbita maxima
Cucurbitaceae
foodseeds
Turmeric
Curcuma longa
Zingiberaceae
spiceanti-inflammatory
Lemongrass
Cymbopogon citratus
Poaceae
fever teamalaria
Senegalese tonguesole
Cynoglossus senegalensis
Cynoglossidae
coastal fishery
Tiger nut
Cyperus esculentus
Cyperaceae
kunu aya drinkfertilitykunun aya drink
African pear
Dacryodes edulis
Burseraceae
fruit with cornoilroasted with corn
African copaiba balsam
Daniellia oliveri
Fabaceae
resintimber
Flame of the forest
Delonix regia
Fabaceae
ornamentalshade
Jameson's mamba
Dendroaspis jamesoni
Elapidae
arboreal venomous snake
White-faced whistling duck
Dendrocygna viduata
Anatidae
wetland waterfowl
Pepper fruit
Dennettia tripetala
Annonaceae
snack fruitcough
Sweet detar
Detarium microcarpum
Fabaceae
ofor thickenerfruitsoup thickener
Velvet tamarind
Dialium guineense
Fabaceae
sweet-sour fruit
Acha / fonio
Digitaria exilis
Poaceae
gluten-free graindiabetic-friendly grain
Water yam
Dioscorea alata
Dioscoreaceae
ojojoporridgestaple food
Aerial yam
Dioscorea bulbifera
Dioscoreaceae
foodfamine croppoultice
Yellow yam
Dioscorea cayenensis
Dioscoreaceae
staple food
Bitter yam
Dioscorea dumetorum
Dioscoreaceae
famine fooddiabetes care
African ebony
Diospyros mespiliformis
Ebenaceae
fruittimber
West African carpet viper
Echis ocellatus
Viperidae
major snakebite causeleading snakebite killer
Freshwater clam
Egeria radiata
Donacidae
seafoodlime
Water hyacinth
Eichhornia crassipes
Pontederiaceae
invasive weedcrafts
Straw-coloured fruit bat
Eidolon helvum
Pteropodidae
seed dispersermigratoryseed dispersal
West African ladyfish
Elops lacerta
Elopidae
estuary fishery
African yellow wood
Enantia chlorantha
Annonaceae
jaundicemalaria
Gambian epauletted fruit bat
Epomophorus gambianus
Pteropodidae
pollinator
Patas monkey
Erythrocebus patas
Cercopithecidae
savanna primate
Bonga shad
Ethmalosa fimbriata
Dorosomatidae
smoked fish trade
Asthma weed
Euphorbia hirta
Euphorbiaceae
asthmacough
Northern red bishop
Euplectes franciscanus
Ploceidae
grassland birdwetland bird
Sandpaper tree
Ficus exasperata
Moraceae
hypertensionabrasive leaf
Strangler fig
Ficus thonningii
Moraceae
shadefodder
Double-spurred francolin
Francolinus bicalcaratus
Phasianidae
game bird
Fire-footed rope squirrel
Funisciurus pyrropus
Sciuridae
forest rodent
Senegal bushbaby
Galago senegalensis
Galagidae
nocturnal primate
Domestic chicken
Gallus gallus
Phasianidae
poultryceremony
Domestic chicken
Gallus gallus domesticus
Phasianidae
poultryeggs
Red-fronted gazelle
Gazella rufifrons
Bovidae
Sahel grassland
Common genet
Genetta genetta
Viverridae
nocturnal hunternocturnal carnivore
Riverine tsetse fly
Glossina palpalis
Glossinidae
sleeping sickness vector
Soybean
Glycine max
Fabaceae
soy milkprotein
Gmelina
Gmelina arborea
Lamiaceae
pulpwoodplantationpoles
Wild spinach
Gnetum africanum
Gnetaceae
afang / okazi soup
Cross River gorilla
Gorilla gorilla diehli
Hominidae
critically endangered
Cotton
Gossypium hirsutum
Malvaceae
textilecash croptextile fibre
Guiera
Guiera senegalensis
Combretaceae
coughfever
Aba / trunkfish
Gymnarchus niloticus
Gymnarchidae
electric fishfisheryfreshwater fishery
Hadada ibis
Hagedashia hagedash
Threskiornithidae
wetland forager
Woodland kingfisher
Halcyon senegalensis
Alcedinidae
savanna birdinsect hunter
Atama / bush apple
Heinsia crinita
Rubiaceae
banga soup spice
Gambian sun squirrel
Heliosciurus gambianus
Sciuridae
tree squirrel
Brook's house gecko
Hemidactylus brookii
Gekkonidae
household insect control
Egyptian mongoose
Herpestes ichneumon
Herpestidae
snake hunter
Giant African catfish
Heterobranchus bidorsalis
Clariidae
aquaculture
Vundu catfish
Heterobranchus longifilis
Clariidae
aquaculture
African bonytongue
Heterotis niloticus
Arapaimidae
river fisheryfloodplain fishery
Kenaf
Hibiscus cannabinus
Malvaceae
soupfibre
Noack's roundleaf bat
Hipposideros ruber
Hipposideridae
insect control
Roan antelope
Hippotragus equinus
Bovidae
savanna antelope
Barn swallow
Hirundo rustica
Hirundinidae
migratory insectivore
African groove-crowned frog
Hoplobatrachus occipitalis
Dicroglossidae
wetland amphibianedible frog
Abeere
Hunteria umbellata
Apocynaceae
blood sugarweight
Doum palm
Hyphaene thebaica
Arecaceae
fruitfibremats
Crested porcupine
Hystrix cristata
Hystricidae
quillsbushmeat
Spear grass
Imperata cylindrica
Poaceae
thatchweed
Sweet potato
Ipomoea batatas
Convolvulaceae
staplevitamin Astaple food
Doka tree
Isoberlinia doka
Fabaceae
woodland treecharcoal
Blood of Jesus / hospital too far
Justicia carnea
Acanthaceae
anaemiablood tonic
Sausage tree
Kigelia africana
Bignoniaceae
skintraditional medicineskin care
Forest hinge-back tortoise
Kinixys erosa
Testudinidae
folklore tricksterfolklore (Ijapa)
Kob antelope
Kobus kob
Bovidae
floodplain antelopeYankari herds
Bottle gourd
Lagenaria siceraria
Cucurbitaceae
calabashfoodutensils
Greater blue-eared starling
Lamprotornis chalybaeus
Sturnidae
fruit eater
Editan leaf
Lasianthera africana
Stemonuraceae
editan soupappetite
African wild lettuce
Launaea taraxacifolia
Asteraceae
saladliver tonic
Henna
Lawsonia inermis
Lythraceae
body arthair dye
Olive ridley turtle
Lepidochelys olivacea
Cheloniidae
nests on Nigerian beachescoastal nesting
African savanna hare
Lepus victoriae
Leporidae
bushmeat
White leadtree
Leucaena leucocephala
Fabaceae
fodderagroforestry
Bronze mannikin
Lonchura cucullata
Estrildidae
seed eater
Dwarf red ironwood
Lophira lanceolata
Ochnaceae
oil seedstimber
African grey hornbill
Lophoceros nasutus
Bucerotidae
woodland bird
African forest elephant
Loxodonta cyclotis
Elephantidae
Cross River forestsYankari & Omo forests
Side-striped jackal
Lupulella adusta
Canidae
savanna carnivore
African river prawn
Macrobrachium vollenhovenii
Palaemonidae
seafood
Mound-building termite
Macrotermes bellicosus
Termitidae
edible alatessoil
Electric catfish
Malapterurus electricus
Malapteruridae
freshwater predator
Drill
Mandrillus leucophaeus
Cercopithecidae
Cross River endemicendangeredCross River forests
Mango
Mangifera indica
Anacardiaceae
fruitleaf tealeaf tea for fever
Cassava
Manihot esculenta
Euphorbiaceae
garrifufustarch
Slender-snouted crocodile
Mecistops cataphractus
Crocodylidae
critically endangered
Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
Phasianidae
poultry
Northern carmine bee-eater
Merops nubicus
Meropidae
migratory bird
Iroko
Milicia excelsa
Moraceae
timbersacred treepremium timber
Yellow-billed kite
Milvus aegyptius
Accipitridae
urban raptorraptor
False abura
Mitragyna inermis
Rubiaceae
fevertimber
Bitter melon
Momordica charantia
Cucurbitaceae
blood sugarmalariadiabetes
Moringa
Moringa oleifera
Moringaceae
nutritionhypertension
Elephant-snout fish
Mormyrus rume
Mormyridae
river fishery
Velvet bean
Mucuna pruriens
Fabaceae
fertility toniccover crop
Horse eye bean
Mucuna sloanei
Fabaceae
soup thickener
Flathead grey mullet
Mugil cephalus
Mugilidae
estuary fishery
Banana
Musa acuminata
Musaceae
fruitpotassium
Plantain
Musa paradisiaca
Musaceae
bolistapleboiled/fried food
Giant yellow mulberry
Myrianthus arboreus
Urticaceae
soupfruit
Forest cobra
Naja melanoleuca
Elapidae
venomous
Napoleon's hat
Napoleonaea imperialis
Lecythidaceae
fruitbark medicine
Opepe
Nauclea diderrichii
Rubiaceae
timberstomach medicine
African peach
Nauclea latifolia
Rubiaceae
fevertoothache
Hooded vulture
Necrosyrtes monachus
Accipitridae
scavengercritically endangered
Boundary tree
Newbouldia laevis
Bignoniaceae
boundary markerconvulsionconvulsion remedy
Tobacco
Nicotiana tabacum
Solanaceae
snuff (taba)pesticide
Nipa palm
Nypa fruticans
Arecaceae
coastal palmthatchinvasive in delta
Sweet basil
Ocimum basilicum
Lamiaceae
culinary herbdigestiveinsect repellent
Nile tilapia
Oreochromis niloticus
Cichlidae
aquacultureproteinfish farming
African rice
Oryza glaberrima
Poaceae
staple grainlocal riceheritage crop
Asian rice
Oryza sativa
Poaceae
jollof ricestaple
Dwarf crocodile
Osteolaemus tetraspis
Crocodylidae
swamp forest
Yankasa sheep
Ovis aries
Bovidae
meatSallah ram
Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee
Pan troglodytes ellioti
Hominidae
endangered great apeendangered primate
West African lion
Panthera leo leo
Felidae
Kainji Lake NPcritically endangered
African snakehead
Parachanna obscura
Channidae
swamp fishery
Mobola plum
Parinari curatellifolia
Chrysobalanaceae
fruitoil
Gingerbread plum
Parinari macrophylla
Chrysobalanaceae
fruit
Passion fruit
Passiflora edulis
Passifloraceae
juicecalming
West African mud turtle
Pelusios castaneus
Pelomedusidae
freshwater turtle
Southern pink shrimp
Penaeus notialis
Penaeidae
export fishery
African oil bean
Pentaclethra macrophylla
Fabaceae
ugba / ukpaka salad
Atlantic mudskipper
Periophthalmus barbarus
Oxudercidae
mangrove indicator
Potto
Perodicticus potto
Lorisidae
nocturnal primate
Avocado
Persea americana
Lauraceae
fruithealthy fats
Maxwell's duiker
Philantomba maxwellii
Bovidae
small forest antelope
Date palm
Phoenix dactylifera
Arecaceae
fruitenergydates
Stone breaker
Phyllanthus amarus
Phyllanthaceae
liverkidney stonesjaundice
Akuamma
Picralima nitida
Apocynaceae
pain reliefmalaria
Camel's foot
Piliostigma thonningii
Fabaceae
fodderwoundswound care
Hausa potato
Plectranthus esculentus
Lamiaceae
tuber food
Village weaver
Ploceus cucullatus
Ploceidae
nest coloniesfarm pestfarm bird
Senegal bichir
Polypterus senegalus
Polypteridae
aquariumswamp fish
Red river hog
Potamochoerus porcus
Suidae
forest pigforest omnivore
Olive colobus
Procolobus verus
Cercopithecidae
forest leaf-eater
African mesquite
Prosopis africana
Fabaceae
okpeye condimentcharcoal
West African lungfish
Protopterus annectens
Protopteridae
survives dry seasondry-season survivor
Bobo croaker
Pseudotolithus elongatus
Sciaenidae
coastal fishery
Guava
Psidium guajava
Myrtaceae
fruitdiarrhoeadiarrhoea leaf tea
African grey parrot
Psittacus erithacus
Psittacidae
talking birdCITES protectedtrade pressure
Double-spurred francolin
Pternistis bicalcaratus
Phasianidae
farmland gamebird
African rosewood
Pterocarpus erinaceus
Fabaceae
timberfodder
Oha leaf
Pterocarpus mildbraedii
Fabaceae
oha soup
Camwood
Pterocarpus osun
Fabaceae
osun body dyeritual
Common bulbul
Pycnonotus barbatus
Pycnonotidae
garden bird
Ball python
Python regius
Pythonidae
revered snakepet tradetotem snake
Red-billed quelea
Quelea quelea
Ploceidae
grain pest
Raffia palm
Raphia hookeri
Arecaceae
palm winefibreraffia fibre
Bohor reedbuck
Redunca redunca
Bovidae
wetland antelopefloodplain antelope
Red mangrove
Rhizophora racemosa
Rhizophoraceae
coastal protectionfuelwoodfish nursery