Hyptis spicigera.
Botanical name:
Hyptis spicigera Lam. Labiatae.
African tropics. This plant of tropical Africa is called neeno and is cultivated by the natives of Gani as a grain. It is eaten roasted by them. They also extract an oil from the seeds, both black and white, of this strongly smelling plant. Schweinfurth says the tiny seeds are brazed to a jelly and are used by the natives of central Africa as an adjunct to their stews and gravies. The Bongo and Niam-Niam, especially, store large quantities.
Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World, 1919, was edited by U. P. Hedrick.
