Jun 3, 2020
Amorphophallus aphyllus of the Arum family (Araceae)
Floodplain forest along the Niger River
Siguiri Prefecture, Guinea, West Africa
The tuber of this plant is eaten on occasion in Guinea and Senegal, however it contains high concentrations of calcium oxalate, an extremely bitter and pain-inducing toxin. If the tuber is prepared correctly this toxin can be expelled from the plant. Traditionally it is also said to have been used to poison arrows, but other sources say it can be used as a snake bite remedy. Not sure which or if all of these are true.