Strelitzia nicolai (Natal wild banana)
Life
> eukaryotes >
Archaeoplastida >
Chloroplastida
>
Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants)
> Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants)
> Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Angiospermae (flowering
plants) > Monocotyledons > Order: Zingiberales
> Family: Strelitziaceae > Genus:
Strelitzia
Seed capsules contain large black seeds with orange, oily
arils. Seeds are ground into a flour, which is mixed with water and made into a
fritter. The arils are pushed into the fritter and it is then baked over coals
and then eaten. It is evidently a filling meal but not particularly tasty.
Publications
-
van Wyk, B.-E. & Gericke, N. 2000. People's
Plants. A Guide to Useful Plants of Southern Africa. Briza Publications,
Pretoria.
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