West African Njama Njama Landrace

Solanum scabrum Origin: West Africa Improvement status: Landrace Seeds per packet: ~50 Germination tested 10/2024: 75% Life cycle: Annual EFN INTRODUCTION. NEW. Most commonly known in English as "garden huckleberry," njama njama is the name used in Cameroon and other West African countries, as well as among many Africans in the diaspora, for this special plant in the nightshade family (Solanaceae). But while these plants are laden with berries, most African people actually grow them for their delicious and nutritious leaves. Indeed, for many people njama njama (which is more-or-less pronounced "jahma-jahma") is a staple food. It has a long history of medicinal use as well, and can also be used as a dye plant.We are thrilled to be offering a very special population of njama njama collected and grown by Ergibe Boyd, an Eritrean-American immigrant farmer based in southern Maryland. Ergibe had a long and interesting career, including many years in the US diplomatic service, before deciding