Useful Plants of Ghana

Describes the uses and properties of native Ghanaian plants, many of which have a wide distribution in Africa. The plants are classified by use, and listed by their scientific and Ghanaian vernacular names, and by their English ones if available.

Kew botanists have studied African plants for two centuries, and are now co-operating with Practical Action Publishing to produce this book which will be a constant source of interest and reference internationally. The book, while of great interest to specialists, is aimed at the average reader. The plants are divided into subjects such as food, fuel, medicines and weeds, and are listed by their scientific and Ghanaian vernacular names, and by their English ones if available. In an age of rapid change when environmental issues have assumed significant popular and political standing, it is important to document as much as possible and make it available to a wide public. While industrial crops and plants of farms and gardens are included, many of the uses are of local occurrence and minor importance but of great interest to the ethnobotanist and biochemist searching for little known remedies for further research. A selection of colour photographs of plants and plant products has also been included, made possible by a grant from the Quaker Trust.