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

52 Thoughts to “TWI NAMES OF SOME PLANTS USED TRADITIONALLY IN GHANA”

  1. Prince. Nketiah

    God richly bless you

    1. Kwansema Appiagyei Francesca

      Good work prince but I need a plant called krampaen

      1. Tapinanthus bangwensis is the most common one on cocoa trees in Ghana

  2. Patricia Mawutor Fiadzo

    GOD BLESS YOU

  3. Najah Tabbicca

    Can I know the botanical name for (Entwi ma).

  4. Show

    Thanks for your service.
    Please I want to see the Anafranaku plant

  5. Jo

    Hello , please what is the twi name for yohimehark

  6. Shark

    May God bless you more

  7. marie wilson

    THANK YOU, VERY USEFUL.

  8. Shaibu

    Please what is the botanical name for nkwadaa nkwadaa mako

  9. Isaac Mwinyele

    Excellent work done doctors. Your information has been of tremendous help to my research. God bless you.

    1. Amen. Thanks for letting us know

  10. miss korsah

    Grateful for your knowledge

  11. Frederick Armooh

    Please let us know their spiritual benefits

    1. Sorry we are medical herbalist i.e scientist, you can send personal emails to find out for some

  12. Appiah emmanuel

    Please what about agebebia leaf or tree.. I want the English name

  13. Boadu Francis

    Tnk you Dr. God bless you, twi name of Hawthorne, linden,Damiana

  14. Dennis Ansah

    I need the botanical for nkora nkora bofere. Please help me

    1. nkorankora brode is Cassia occidentalis

  15. Emmanuel

    Very good teaching but I want to know what is totomreka koshwepo

    1. Ageratum conyzoides

  16. Rina

    Sete dua name in English please ?

    1. Satadua is Mallotus oppositifolia

  17. Kwabena Boadu

    Please does burdock grow in Ghana. If it does what is the twi name for it?

  18. John koomson

    name of odii aba

  19. Ali Mohammed

    Emee english name is wahat please

  20. Peter Quansah

    Please is Chamomile flower available in Ghana?

  21. Godfred

    Pls what is the local name for Amplescissus Multistraitor

  22. Jacob

    Please how is Pygeum africanum called in Akan language?

  23. Cynthia Adu

    Pls what is the twi name of guinea hen plant

  24. Diana

    Please can I know the botanical name for pepediawuo

  25. marie wilson

    Please what is the Twi name for Ficus platyphylla

  26. Nana Bonsu

    Please check what you wrote for Mofoa. I don’t know if it was a slip or you’re feeding us with wrong information. Firstly you described Mofoa as Acacia sieberiana, that’s the scientific name belonging to the Leguminosae-Mimosoid family.
    At some point you described it differently (Mofoa ….Alcaypha ciliata scientific name belonging to Euphorbiaceae family. I am confused, pls explain further

    1. thank you for the concern raised, we are providing the right names just that some plants have names used interchangeably so we provide both so as not to confuse or misinform anyone. the names provided are ashanti, twi and fanti missed together. you can provide the names you know since we are still working to get more accurate names. twi names of many plants vary from place to place thats is why we cannot leave some out or attribute it to one plant. thank you

  27. Kolarin Mao

    Thank you. I am researching herbs for medicine.

  28. Richard Avie

    Whta is MOTO TREE USED FOR

  29. Racheal

    Please what is the scientific name for ntatia dopo

  30. Maxwell

    Please what’s the two name for hazel tree

  31. Maxwell

    Pls what’s the local name for hazel tree

  32. Kelvin Osei Sarpong

    Twi name for Chamomile

  33. NAOMI

    Please please indeed the twi name for poke root

  34. African Son

    Great work done.But if you can work on adding the images of those names available for now, would be highly appreciated.The images can help us learn about their names in other languages and their uses as well.
    Thank you very much ????

    1. Thank you for your recommendation. We are working on it but would help if you send us images of those available to you or you know. this is a free service we are rendering so we might not be able to do all on our own.

  35. African Son

    Great work done.But if you can work on adding the images of those names available for now, would be highly appreciated.The images can help us learn about their names in other languages and their uses as well.
    Thank you very much ????

  36. Godson

    Please what is the two name for alfalfa leave.

  37. Nanah Equiyarh

    Please I want the english name and botanical name for ntetea dua

  38. Please can I get the twi name of Nettlet and Parsley

  39. Opoku Dickson

    I want Akom)wer3 in English name

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