Getting the twi names or botanonical names of some plants used in Ghana is sometimes not easy. To help traditional herbalists, medical herbalists and the general public we decided to compile some of the Akan names. We shall provide the pictures and traditional uses later. Please feel free to comment if you know other local names since local names may vary from community to community. We are preparing to add other languages such as Ewe, Hausa, Bono, Nzema etc.
| TWI NAME OF PLANTS | scientific name | family |
| Dammabo, Obirekuo Aniwa | Abrus precatorus | Leguminosae-Papilionoideae |
| Oguaben | Acacia kamerunensis | Leguminosae-Mimosoideae |
| Mofoa | Acacia sieberiana | Leguminosae-Mimosoideae |
| Nwere | Acacia pennata | Fabaceae |
| Nufoten | Adansonia digitata | Malvaceae/Bombacaceae |
| Okyem | Adenia cissamploides | Passifloraceae |
| Nsurogya | Adenia rumicifolia | Passifloraceae |
| Bronsaud, Dua Bayif, Tebon, Tibini | Afromorsia laxifolia | Leguminosae-Papilionoideae |
| Aligna, Apapao, Opapao | Afzelia africana | Leguminosae-Caesalpiniodeae |
| Guakro, Gu-Ekuro, Adwowa-Kuro, Gu-Ekura | Ageratum conyzoides | Asteraceae |
| Okun-Adada | Alafia multiflora | Apocynaceae |
| Osupampam | Albizia ferruginea | Leguminosae-Mimosoideae |
| Osupampam | Albizia zygia | Leguminosae-Mimosoideae |
| Mofoa | Alcaypha ciliata | Euphorbiaceae |
| Agyama, Agyamma, Ogyamma, Ogyama | Alchornea cordifolia | Euphorbiaceae |
| Obifi Bowe | Allanblackia floribunda | Guttiferae |
| Gyeine | Allium cepa | Liliaceae |
| Gyenekankan | Allium sativum | Liliaceae |
| Nyamedua | Alstonia boonei | Apocynaceae |
| Nkassenkasee, Nsoensoe | Alternanthera pungens | Amaranthaceae |
| Efan, Otofammen | Amaranthus hybridus | Amaranthaceae |
| Asanfran | Amphimas pterocarpiodes | Leguminosae-Caesalpiniodeae |
| Atea | Anacardium occidentale | Anacardiaceae |
| Abrobe | Ananas comosus | Bromeliaceae |
| Nkranmmorobe | Annona muricata | Annonaceae |
| Saa Borofere, Aboboma | Annona senegalensis | Annonaceae |
| Osakanea | Anogeissus leiocarpa | Combretaceae |
| Kokoti | Anopycis klaineana | Rhizophoraceae |
| Awudifo Kete/ Dontidei | Anthocleista nobilis | Loganiaceae |
| Awudifo Kete/ Dontidei | Anthocleista vogelii | Loganiaceae |
| Totoro A | Anthonotha macrophylla | Leguminosae-Caesalpiniodeae |
| Foto, Kyenkyen | Antiaris toxicaria | Moraceae |
| Wee | Apocynum cannabinum | Apocynaceae |
| Akusiribie | Argemone mexicana | Papavaraceae |
| Mfofo | Aspilia africana | Asteraceae |
| Nimsi, Dua Gyene | Azadirachta indica | Meliaceae |
| Kabowoo | Balnites aegyptica | Balanitaceae |
| Pampro | Bambusa vulgaris | Graminae |
| Odwene, Aduma | Baphia nitida | Leguminosae-Papilionoideae |
| Dwirentwi, Gyinantwi | Bidens pilosa | Asteraceae |
| Anato, Brofo Gyama | Bixa orellana | Bixaceae |
| Ankye Fitaa | Blighia sapida | Sapindaceae |
| Akyebiri | Blighia unijugata | Sapindaceae |
| Ofonnena, Praaduru | Blumea aurita | Asteraceae |
| Onyina/ Agartha | Bombax buonopozense | Malvaceae |
| Frankaa Dua | Boswellia dalzielii | Burseraceae |
| Opampotoporopoo | Bridelia atroviridis | Euphorbiaceae |
| Baree, Opam Fufuo, Badea | Bridelia ferrugina | Euphorbiaceae |
| Egoro, Sosompraegoro, Tameawu | Bryophyllum pinnatum | Crassulaceae |
| Esono Bese | Buchbolziz coriacea | Capparaceae |
| Nkuto | Butyrospermum parkii | Sapotaceae |
| Oware Aba, Abobadwe, Ababoo | Caesalpinia bonduc | Leguminosae-Mimosoideae |
| Hwentewitente, Gyeadawuro | Calliandra portoricensis | Leguminosae-Mimosoideae |
| Esono-Afe, Esono-Akyi | Caloncoba echinata | Flacourtiaceae |
| Mpatu-Asa | Calotropis procera | Asclepiadaceae |
| Wee | Cannabis sativa | Cannabaceae |
| Nhyirawa | Capsicum annum | Solanaceae |
| Amako | Capsicum frutescens | Solanaceae |
| Borofere, Boroferedua, Buruku-Mani | Carica papaya | Caricaceae |
| Nkonkyere | Carissa edulis | Apocynaceae |
| Osempe, Yamnua, Duawusu,Duawusio | Cassia alata | Caesalpinaceae |
| Mmfrabon, Osempe, Denkyenhwe | Cassia nigricans | Leguminosae-Caesalpiniodeae |
| Osempenini,Peagoro, Saresoosempe | Cassia podocarpa | Leguminosae-Caesalpiniodeae |
| Kata Wani Na Wasereba | Cassia rotundifolia | Leguminosae-Caesalpiniodeae |
| Poto Rodom | Cassia sieberiana | Leguminosae-Caesalpiniodeae |
| Onyina | Ceiba pentandra | Bombaceae |
| Anoatre Dua | Cinnamomum zeylanicum | Lauraceae |
| Akura Aso+B25B36A1:A1:B26 | Cissampelos mucronata | Menispermaceae |
| Nsurogya | Cissus quadrangularis | Vitaceae |
| Ankaadwea, Akenkaaa, Ankaatweree | Citrus aurantifolia | Rutaceae |
| Ankaapa | Citrus sinensis | Rutaceae |
| Sesa Dua, Dua Wonsi, Samandua | Clausena anisata | Rutaceae |
| Nkyene Ne Ngo | Cleistopholis patens | Annonaceae |
| Kumanuno | Clerodendrion volubile | Verbenaceae |
| Apose, Aporose, Apowse | Cnestis ferruginea | Connaraceae |
| Asaamenketewa, Asamankyekye | Coccinea barteri | Cucurbitaceae |
| Kube | Cocos nucifera | Palmae |
| Bese Kyem, Bese Hene | Cola nitida | Sterculiaceae |
| Amankani | Colocasia esculenta | Araceae |
| Atena | Combretum fragrans | Combretaceae |
| Ase-Rewagyama | Combretum platyptenan | Combretaceae |
| Ohwirem Nim | Combretum platypterum | Combretaceae |
| Ohwirem, Hwiremu | Combretum smeathmannii | Combretaceae |
| Akaboa, Akyaboa | Cordia millenii | Boraginaceae |
| Sukooko | Crinum jagus | Amaryllidaceae |
| Akonansa, Mfansu | Croton lobatus | Euphorbiaceae |
| Tetetete | Crotalaria falcata | Leguminosae-Papilionoideae |
| Nibima | Cryptolepis sanguinolenta | Periplocaceae |
| Apupuaa, Mpupuaa, Apupua | Cyathula prostrata | Amaranthaceae |
| Ti-Ahaban | Cymbopogon citratus | Graminaceae |
| Dua-Mmem, Ata-Adwe | Cyperus esculentus | Cyperaceae |
| Osena | Dalium guineense | Leguminosae-Caesalpiniodeae |
| Ehyedua, Siadua | Daniellia ogea | Leguminosae-Mimosoideae |
| Osanya | Daniellia oliveri | Leguminosae-Mimosoideae |
| Nkokoyadee Aduro | Datura metel | Solanaceae |
| Carrot | Daucus carota | Apiaceae |
| Akwamfanu, Nkatenkate, Ananse Nkate | Desmodium adscendens | Leguminosae-Papilionoideae |
| Sampa, Akwamfame | Desmodium gangeticum | Leguminosae-Papilionoideae |
| Atee-Nini | Dialium dinklagei | Leguminosae-Caesalpiniodeae |
| Ofoawabin | Dichapetalum toxicarium | Dichapecalaceae |
| Ntewhama | Dioclea reflexa | Leguminosae-Papilionoideae |
| Ahabayere | Dioscorea dumetonan | Dioscoreaceae |
| Bonsamdua | Distemonanthus benthamianus | Leguminosae-Caesalpiniodeae |
| Okisibiri | Diospyros mespiliformis | Ebenaceae |
| Boreadaso, Borekete, Obommofawaw | Dissotis rotundifolia | Melastomataceae |
| Akokoantre, Kwaebeten | Dracaena surculosa | Agavaceae |
| Duamoko | Drypetes aubrevillei | Putranjivaceae |
| Ntum | Edipta prostrata | Asteraceae |
| Okusua | Ehretia cymosa | Boraginaceae |
| Elaeis guineensis | Palmae | |
| Akane, Kakan | Elaeophorbia grandifolia | Euphorbiaceae |
| Guakuru, Mamponfo Apow, Guakoro | Emilia sonchifolia | Asteraceae |
| Sankwituri | Entada abyssinica | Leguminosae-Mimosoideae |
| Duasika Kodoben | Enantia polycarpa | Annonaceae |
| Mfia, Oyee | Eremospatha macrocarpa | Palmae |
| Osurokasoro, Surukasuru | Erythrina senegalensis | Leguminosae-Papilionoideae |
| Dusinkro | Eudenia eminens | Capparaceae |
| Animakoa, Nim Akoa, Nufu Nsu, Awommaaguwakyi | Euphorbia hirta | Euphorbiaceae |
| Onyannkyeren | Ficus asperifolia | Moraceae |
| Odomaa | Ficus sur | Moraceae |
| Kotoprepre | Gilbertiodendron lonba | Leguminosae-Caesalpiniodeae |
| Ofoto | Glyphaea brevis | Tiliaceae |
| Gomphrena celosoides | Amaranthaceae | |
| Nsurogya | Gongronema latifolium | Asclepiadaceae |
| Asaawa | Gossypium arboreum | Malvaceae |
| Kagya | Griffonia simplicifolia | Leguminosae-Caesalpiniodeae |
| Dubrafoo | Grossera vignei | Euphorbiaceae |
| Oduben, Bofua | Harungana madagascariensis | Hypericaceae |
| Akokotuatu, Akomfemtikoro, Asam-Konakyi | Helitropium indicum | Boraginaceae |
| Ekyi | Hibiscus vitifolius | Malvaceae |
| Anafranaku, Suruka Suru | Hilleria latifolia | Phytolacaceae |
| Aberewaaninsu, Asifuaka, Nunumnini | Hoslundia opposita | Lamiaceae |
| Opeabaa | Hyptis pectinata | Lamiaceae |
| Tokorowa | Hymenostedia afzelii | Leguminosae-Caesalpiniodeae |
| Aborototo, Akeneadua, Nkrangyedua | Jatropha curcas | Euphorbiaceae |
| Akwaabohoro | Khaya anthotheca | Meliaceae |
| Odupon | Khaya ivorensis | Meliaceae |
| Kuntunkuri | Khaya senegalensis | Meliaceae |
| Katiwa, Kontiwa | Lagenaria breviflora | Cucurbitaceae |
| Kuntunkuri | Lannea acida | Anacardiaceae |
| Okumnini, Aberewa, Nyansin | Lannea welwitschii | Anacardiaceae |
| Dwindwera | Lecaniodiscus cupniodes | Sapindaceae |
| Agyaben, Okatanini, Okatakyi | Leea guineensis | Ampelidaceae |
| Akase, Ofefraa | Lonchocarpus cyanescens | Leguminosae-Papilionoideae |
| Abrofo Sapo | Luffa acutangula | Cucurbitaceae |
| Ntosi, Tomato | Lycopersicum esculentum | Solanaceae |
| Sansa Werew | Macharium lunatum | Leguminosae-Papilionoideae |
| Osataduaa, Nyanyamforowa | Mallotus oppositifolius | Euphorbiaceae |
| Mango, Amango | Mangifera indica | Anacardiaceae |
| Bankye | Manihot esculenta | Euphorbiaceae |
| Aprono | Mansonia altissima | Sterculiaceae |
| Odubrafo | Mareya micrantha | Euphorbiaceae |
| Akoobowerew | Mezoneuron benthamianum | Leguminosae-Papilionoideae |
| Afuwa, Ofoabri, Afawa | Microdesmis puberula | Euphorbiaceae |
| Asomenewa, Esono-Mbabe, Pofiri | Microglossa afzelii | Asteraceae |
| Esono-Mbabe, Asommerewa, Pofiri | Microglossa pyrifolia | Asteraceae |
| Nantwimuawano | Mimosa pudica | Leguminosae-Mimosoideae |
| Odum | Milicia excelsa | Moraceae |
| Baya | Mitragyna stipulosa | Rubiaceae |
| Mollugo nudicaulis | Agavaceae | |
| Nyannya,Nyina, Nyinya | Momordica charantia | Cucurbitaceae |
| Asaasehwam | Mondia whitei | Apocynaceae |
| Awerewa, Weree | Monodora myristica | Annonaceae |
| Abotokuradua, Dubiri | Monodora tenuifolia | Annonaceae |
| Konkroma | Morinda lucida | Rubiaceae |
| Brode | Musa paradisiaca | Musaceae |
| Kwadu | Musa sapientum | Musaceae |
| Damenama | Mussaenda erythrophylla | Rubiaceae |
| Damaram | Mussaenda elegans | Rubiaceae |
| Anyankoma | Myrianthus arboreus | Moraceae |
| Obua | Napolconeae leonensis | Locythiadaceae |
| Susumasa, Sasanemasa | Newbouldia levis | Bignoniaceae |
| Tawa, Bonto | Nicotiana tabacum | Solanaceae |
| Brampe, Kankanu,Paya Biase, Supaka | Nuclea latifolia | Rubiaceae |
| Emmei/Akokobesa/Fiangoro | Ocimum basilicum | Lamiaceae |
| Akokobesa | Ocimum canum | Lamiaceae |
| Onunum, Nunum | Ocimum gratissimum | Lamiaceae |
| Ahoohenedua | Olax subscorpioidea | Olacaceae |
| Odoroben | Olyra latifolia | Graminaceae |
| Asratoa | Oncoba spinosa | Flacourtiaceae |
| Obohwe, Korantema | Oxyanthus speciosus | Rubiaceae |
| Kramankote | Pachypodanthium staudtii | Annonaceae |
| Mpentemi | Palisota hirsuta | Commelinaceae |
| Atena | Parinari curatellifolia | Chrysobalanaceae |
| Opam, Kwanedua, Ofam | Parinari excelsa | Chrysobalanaceae |
| Dawadawa, Osonkoran, Soronoo | Parkia biglobosa | Leguminosae |
| Asoma | Parkia bicolor | Leguminosae-Mimosoideae |
| Abakamo, Abakama | Parquetina nigrescens | Periplocaceae |
| Okramankote | Penianthus zenkeri | Menispermaceae |
| Bubuampere | Pentodon pentandrus | Rubiaceae |
| Nsurogya | Pergularia daemia | Asclepiadaceae |
| Esia, Esia-Kokobin, Asia | Petersianthus macrocarpus | Lecythidaceae |
| Awomma Agu W’akyi | Phyllanthus amarus | Euphorbiaceae |
| Awobe | Phyllanthus capillaris | Euphorbiaceae |
| Awomma Agu W’akyi, Awobe | Phyllanthus fraternus spp. Togoensis | Euphorbiaceae |
| Awobe | Phyllanthus muellerianus | Euphorbiaceae |
| Awomma Agu W’akyi | Phyllanthus niruri | Euphorbiaceae |
| Tataworotaa, Osaman Ntew | Physostigma venenosum | Leguminosae-Papilionoideae |
| Ahoro | Phytolacca dodecandra | Phytolacaceae |
| Akuama, Ekuama, Okwanwen | Picralima nitida | Apocynaceae |
| Opitipata, Tofotafa | Piliostigma reticulatum | Leguminosae-Caesalpiniodeae |
| Otokotaka | Pilostigma thonningii | L: Conjunctivitis, Snake Bite, Hemorrhage, Ls: Pruritus (Filaria), R:Wounds, Leafy Stalk: Chickenpox |
| Amumuaha, Amuaha | Piper umbellatum | Piperaceae |
| Dahoma / Dawoma/ Debema | Piptadeniastrum africanum | Leguminosae-Mimosoideae |
| Kanwene, Okanwene | Pleiocarpa pycnantha | Apocynaceae |
| Ohyewgya, Opapawhea | Plumbago zeylanicum | Plumbaginaceae |
| Adwera, Adwere | Portulaca olacea | Portulacaceae |
| Gyengya Aforowa | Premna hispida | Verbenaceae |
| Gyengya Aforowa | Premna quadrifolia | Verbenaceae |
| Kokrodoso | Prosopis africana | Fabaceae |
| Kuru Beta | Pseudocendrela kotschii | Meliaceae |
| Oguawa | Psidium guajava | Myrtaceae |
| Nkonkonua | Psychotria calva | Rubiaceae |
| Osantew, Hote | Pterocarpus santalinoides | Leguminosae-Papilionoideae |
| Ogyapam | Psydrax subcordata | Rubiaceae |
| Kyere | Pterygota macrocarpa | Sterculiaceae |
| Pupalia lappacea | Amaranthaceae | |
| Otie | Pycnanthus angolensis | Myristicaceae |
| Pycnocoma cornuta | Euphorbiaceae | |
| Doka, Adobe | Raffia bookeri | Palmae |
| Kakapenpen | Rawolfia vomitoria | Apocynaceae |
| Nsurogya | Rhipsalis baccifera | Cactaceae |
| Onwamma | Ricinodendron heudelotii | Euphorbiaceae |
| Adedenkruma | Ricinus communis | Euphorbiaceae |
| Awennade | Rotea coccinea | Connaraceae |
| Ahwere | Saccharum officinarum | Graminaceae |
| Twiton | Sanseviera longifolia | Agavaceae |
| Efum Wano | Schrankia leptocarpa | Leguminosae-Mimosoideae |
| Agyengyensu | Schwenekia americana | Solanaceae |
| Onyame Ko Metin, | Scoparia dulcis | Scrophulariaceae |
| Nkanna, Nkanewa | Securiega virosa | Euphorbiaceae |
| Mmofrabrode | Senna occidentalis | Leguminosae-Caesalpiniodeae |
| Obraneatu Ata | Sida acuta | Malvaceae |
| Tenetene | Sida cordata | Malvaceae |
| Akyekyere | Sida cordifolia | Malvaceae |
| Ntorowa, Nyaadewa | Solanum incanum | Solanaceae |
| Nsusuwa, Asamantrowa | Solanum torvum | Solanaceae |
| Aninsu, Osisiriw, Kokoanisu | Spathodea campatulata | Bignoniaceae |
| Adru Kokoo, Okramankote | Sphenocentrum jollyanum | Menispermaceae |
| Atoa | Spondias mombin | Anacardiaceae |
| Ansam-Konakyi | Stachytarpheta angustifolia | Verbenaceae |
| Ofosow, Osofoa | Sterculia tragacantha | Sterculiaceae |
| Esonotokwakofuo | Stereospermum acuminatissimum | Bignoniaceae |
| Esonotokwakofuo,Tokwakofuo, | Stereospermum kunthianum | Bignoniaceae |
| Omaatwa | Strophanthus gratus | Apocynaceae |
| Amamfohama, Maatwa, Omaatwa | Strophanthus hispidus | Apocynaceae |
| Adwokuma | Strophanthus sannentosus | Apocynaceae |
| Nsubibiri, Dubri | Struchium sparganophora | Asteraceae |
| Mamponfo-Apow, Tutummirika | Synedrella nodiflora | Asteraceae |
| Ayeforoanto | Syzygium guineense | Myrtaceae |
| Borofo Sonkoran | Tanarindus indica | Leguminosae-Caesalpiniodeae |
| Ehwee | Tephrosia vogela | Leguminosae-Papilionoideae |
| Ongo | Terminalia glaucescens | Combretaceae |
| Emire | Terminalia ivorensis | Combretaceae |
| Ofram Kokoo | Terminalia superba | Combretaceae |
| Ongo | Terminalia laxiflora | Combretaceae |
| Akotopa | Tetracera alnifolia | Dilleniaceae |
| Prekese | Tetrapleura tetraptera | Leguminosae-Mimosoideae |
| Mmebaw | Thalia welwitschii | Marantaceae |
| Kookoo | Theobroma cacao | Sterculiaceae |
| Nyereme-Nyereme | Thevetia nerufolia | Apocynaceae |
| Kwaebedwaa | Thonningia sanguinea | Balanophoraceae |
| Mfo | Trianfetta condifolia | Tiliaceae |
| Afurum, Akwamfunu | Tribulus terrestris | Zygophyllaceae |
| Otan-Nuro, Opam, Tanduro | Trichilia monadelphia | Meliaceae |
| Kooko | Triplotaxis stellulifera | Asteraceae |
| Mfo | Tristmma coronatian | Melastomataceae |
| Ahunanyankwa | Turraea heterophylla | Meliaceae |
| Abotokuradua | Uvaria afzelii | Annonaceae |
| Anweda | Uveria chaema | Annonaceae |
| Awonwone | Vernonia amagdalina | Asteraceae |
| Adua | Vigna unguiculata | Leguminosae-Papilionoideae |
| Nku Dua | Vitellaria paradoxa | Sapotaceae |
| Afetewa, Abiswa | Vitex doniana | Verbenaceae |
| Apem | Waltheria indica | Sterculiaceae |
| Kwaemm, Samanankaa | Ximenia americana | Olacaceae |
| Hwentia | Xylopia aethiopica | Apocynaceae |
| Hwentia | Xylopia quintasii | Apocynaceae |
| Oba | Xylopia villosa | Annonaceae |
| Obaree, Okuo | Zanthoxyllum gilletia | Rutaceae |
| Okanto, Kanto, Yea | Zanthoxyllum xanthoxyloides | Rutaceae |
| Aburo | Zea mays | Graminaceae |
| Akakaduro, Kakaduro | Zingiber officinale | Zingiberaceae |
God richly bless you
GOD BLESS YOU
Can I know the botanical name for (Entwi ma).
Hello , please what is the twi name for yohimehark
May God bless you more
Amen
THANK YOU, VERY USEFUL.
Please what is the botanical name for nkwadaa nkwadaa mako
Excellent work done doctors. Your information has been of tremendous help to my research. God bless you.
Amen. Thanks for letting us know
Grateful for your knowledge
thank you
Please let us know their spiritual benefits
Sorry we are medical herbalist i.e scientist, you can send personal emails to find out for some
I need the botanical for nkora nkora bofere. Please help me
nkorankora brode is Cassia occidentalis
Very good teaching but I want to know what is totomreka koshwepo
Ageratum conyzoides
Sete dua name in English please ?
Satadua is Mallotus oppositifolia
Please does burdock grow in Ghana. If it does what is the twi name for it?
name of odii aba
Emee english name is wahat please
Please is Chamomile flower available in Ghana?
Pls what is the local name for Amplescissus Multistraitor
Please how is Pygeum africanum called in Akan language?
Please what is the Twi name for Ficus platyphylla