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Documentation of Flora Terms in Achi Variety of Igbo 

 

Martha Chidimma Egenti1  Joy Ekpereamaka Uche2 

Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka 

cm.egenti@unizik.edu.ng1  juche490@gmail.com2 

 

Abstract 
This study identified and documented the flora terms in the Achi 

variety of Igbo, and the values that these plants possess. Data were 

elicited from fifteen native speakers of the variety (ages 40 - 82) 

through oral interviews using a checklist by Okpoko and Emeafor 

(2018). The use of simple descriptive approach was employed in 

analyzing the data. Results showed that over fifty plants are 

indigenous to the Achi community and these plants have nutritional, 

cultural and medicinal values. A careful observation revealed that, 

although the flora terms in Achi share certain similarities with their 

Standard Igbo variants at the lexical and phonological levels, some 

flora terms like Úgúgórìò and Ňshígbú are unique to the Achi 

community. It was also discovered that certain plant species are 

going into extinction. The young native speakers between the ages 

of 0 - 25 possess little or no knowledge about the identity and/or 

uses of the plants. The older generations who have this knowledge 

are dying without passing it on to the youths. Although these plants 

serve nutritional, cultural, and medicinal purposes, the medicinal 

values are not fully appreciated by the indigenes. The study 

concluded that this aspect of Achi culture is endangered and 

therefore, recommends that further studies be carried out in this 

area to create awareness about the important plant values in Achi 

and the need to preserve them. Further investigation should also be 

made into the medicinal properties to authenticate the findings and 

mailto:cm.egenti@unizik.edu.ng1


Documentation of Flora Terms in Achi Variety of Igbo – Egenti & Uche 

 

108 

 

to encourage people to increase their dependence on natural/herbal 

remedies. 

Keywords: language documentation, language endangerment, flora 

terms 

 

 

1. Introduction 

Language is the chief means by which human beings communicate. 

It plays a very important role in human endeavours. Nwaozuzu 

(2017:1) considers language as one of the most fundamental aspects 

of human behaviour. According to her, “one of man’s greatest 

achievements is the development of language into a refined 

instrument of expression and communication”. It becomes a grave 

difficulty when this function of language is not carried out. In 

language studies, certain areas have become so familiar that they 

have almost been taken for granted. There are other areas however, 

that have not yet been given adequate attention in some languages, 

especially those that are new in the field of linguistics. One of such 

areas is documentary linguistics. 

Documentary linguistics or language documentation is one 

of the emerging disciplines in the field of linguistics that arose as a 

response to the need of preserving, revitalizing, and sustaining 

world endangered languages. Gippert, Himmelmann, and Mosel 

(2006) view documentary linguistics as being "concerned with the 

methods, tools, and theoretical underpinnings for compiling a 

representative and lasting multipurpose record of a natural language 

or one of its varieties". Evidence shows that many languages are 

dying. Emenanjo (2008) while quoting Crystal (2002:2) observes 

that "there is agreement among linguists who have considered the 

situation that over half of the world's languages are moribund, that 

is, not effectively being passed on to the next generation...”  There 



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109 

 

exists the struggle of existence among languages. It is a case of "the 

survival of the fittest.” Due to this competition, some languages 

have better chances of survival than others. Some languages are at 

the verge of extinction while others have died already. Such is the 

language situation in Nigeria. A language is said to be endangered 

when its younger generation no longer use it due to one reason or 

another. An endangered language can also be regarded as one that 

has few surviving speakers such that it is in danger of falling out of 

use. It is important to note however, that not all languages are 

classified as being endangered. Those languages which are not 

endangered are regarded as flourishing languages. 

With the emergence of documentary linguistics, a lot of 

works have been done where various aspects and culture of world 

languages have been documented. Nigeria is not left out in this 

advancing development. In the Igbo language, a lot of researchers 

are also working to document different aspects of the Igbo language. 

Okpoko and Emeafor (2018) carried out a research on the 

Indigenous plants and their uses among the Nsukka people. 

Nkamigbo and Agu (2015) also conducted a documentation project 

on dirge songs among the Amokwe Orji people in Udi. Eme, 

Mbagwu and Mmadike (2016) documented some selected Igbo 

proverbs as a way of preserving the Igbo worldview and providing 

a tool for revitalizing the use of proverbs by the younger generation. 

In addition, Mamah, Eze, Odeh and Nwosu (2021) documented 

issues of greetings in Enugu Ezike variety of Igbo. A host of other 

researchers have also made attempts to work on different aspects of 

the Igbo language. It is sad to note however, that no attempt has been 

made to document the flora terms of Achi Igbo. This study seeks to 

fill that gap. The study therefore, is an investigation into the Achi 

variety of Igbo with the aim of examining, identifying, and 



Documentation of Flora Terms in Achi Variety of Igbo – Egenti & Uche 

 

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documenting its flora terms as well as the values that these plants 

possess.  

Achi is the largest town in Oji River Local Government Area 

of Enugu State, Nigeria. It is made up of twelve villages. Achi is 

blessed with rich vegetation; hence, plants are important parts that 

make up the fabric of the Achi people. The plants serve different 

purposes ranging from socio-cultural, economic, to medicinal uses. 

Sadly, the majority of the younger generation cannot identify these 

plants as they are called in the Achi variety or state confidently their 

uses. The older generations who possess this knowledge are 

gradually dying without passing it to the youths. If efforts are not 

made to document this important aspect of the Achi culture, it will 

completely go into extinction. 

Flora basically denotes plants of various categories of a 

particular region. It also refers to all the plant life present in a 

particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring 

(indigenous) native plants. They are classified into native, 

agricultural/horticultural, and weed flora. For the purpose of this 

study, focus will be on the native flora of the Achi speech 

community, with the aim of documenting the names they bear in 

Achi and the various purposes they serve. The rest of the sections 

are structured as follows: the first part of section two presents an 

overview of language documentation while the second part 

discusses studies on language documentation. Section three 

constitutes the methodology while section four comprises the data 

presentation and analysis. Section five summarizes and concludes 

the study. 

 

 

 



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2. A Brief Overview of Language Documentation 

Language documentation has caught the interest of scholars over the 

years. It is important to note that language documentation and 

documentary linguistics are used interchangeably and in the course 

of this study, both terms would be used interchangeably. There are 

views and opinions concerning the concept of language 

documentation. Some of them would be considered briefly. 

Woodbury (2003) views documentary linguistics as that branch of 

linguistics which is concerned with the making and keeping of 

records of the world's languages and their patterns of use. He notes 

that documentary linguistics emerged while significant changes 

occurred as the study of language progressed. Woodbury identifies 

endangerment as one of the factors that gave rise to the inquiry into 

documentary linguistics. He avers that language practices over the 

world are shifting at an alarming rate that it affects the world over 

7000 languages.  

In his opinion, Himmelmann (2006:1) considers language 

documentation as a "lasting multipurpose record of a language." He 

believes that language documentation should bear certain qualities 

and meet needs such as providing records that cover all aspects of a 

language including social and/or religious practices in a speech 

community. For him, language documentation should also serve a 

multipurpose such that both individuals and agencies of different 

categories can make use of the outcome. He adds that every 

language documentation project should be lasting, in that it can 

serve the present generation and generations to come. Himmelmann 

also identifies endangerment as a reason for documenting 

languages. He however notes that "while language endangerment is 

a major reason for getting involved in language documentation, it is 

not the only one." Whatever the reason may be for documenting a 

language, the usefulness of its outcome is important. Austin (2008) 



Documentation of Flora Terms in Achi Variety of Igbo – Egenti & Uche 

 

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identifies some uses for the outcomes of documentation projects.  

He points out that they could be used for linguistic research, 

folklore, poetics, anthropology, oral history, education, and 

language revitalization. He adds that the outcomes of documentation 

output are not just for linguists but that the users include researchers 

from other disciplines as well as members of speaker communities. 

 

2.1 Studies on Language Documentation 
Scholars and researchers have embarked on so many documentation 

projects in the bid to support seekers of endangered languages in 

their desire to preserve, revitalize or sustain the endangered 

languages. Efforts have also been made by Nigerian researchers to 

document Nigerian languages and aspects of Nigerian languages 

that are endangered. 

Okpoko and Emeafor (2018) carried out a documentation of 

the indigenous plants and their uses among the Nsukka people. They 

discovered that the plants existing in Nsukka are used for food, 

forage, sacred purposes, boundary demarcation, handcraft, 

medicinal and other utilitarian purposes. It was noted that due to 

globalization and urbanization, the knowledge of these indigenous 

plants and their uses are disappearing among the younger 

generation. In the same vein, Aiyeola and Bello (2006) carried out 

an investigation into the ethnobotanical potentials of common herbs 

in Nigeria using Enugu State as a case study. They collected a total 

of 96 plant species and found out that most of the species discovered 

are highly medicinal. Diabetes in the study area had been controlled 

by the use of Rauvolfia vomitoria, Psidium guajava, and Ocimum 

gratissimum. Aiyeola and Bello (2006:22) therefore recommended 

that more documentation be encouraged as "it is not enough to know 

what local people use plants for, but scientific and clinical validation 

of the claims is required". 



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113 

 

Another documentation project was carried out by Nkamigbo and 

Agu (2015). The documentation focused on dirge songs among the 

Amokwe Orji people of Udi Local Government Area of Enugu 

State, Nigeria. The performance of dirge songs in this community is 

an important aspect of the Amokwe Orji culture and it is a task 

carried out by elderly women. Regrettably, the younger generation 

lack interest in the dirge songs due to the advent of Christianity and 

civilization. It was concluded that dirge songs in Amokwe Orji are 

endangered as the very few old women who have knowledge of the 

dirge songs will soon die. 

In the bid to preserve a cultural aspect of the Mbaise people 

that is on the verge of dying, Uba (2015) carried out the first step of 

the documentation of Erigwara Mbaise, a cultural celebration 

peculiar to the people of Mbaise in Imo state, Nigeria. This occasion 

is generally referred to as Mbaise's style of celebrating Christmas. It 

is called Igba egwu ‘to dance’ and the celebration period lasts for 

eight days (25th December to 1st January), with the observance of 

two market weeks (Eke ukwu and Eke nta). The researcher noted 

among other things that the Erigwara celebration is an avenue for 

the Mbaise elders to introduce some of their cultural patterns to the 

young ones. According to her observations, this celebration is under 

threat of endangerment. The elders are encouraged to teach the 

youths this aspect of their culture and the need for preserving it. 

Language documentation is an avenue through which endangered 

languages can be preserved, sustained or revitalized. It is in view of 

this objective that this study seeks to preserve an aspect of the Igbo 

material culture- flora terms in Achi Igbo. 

 

3. Methodology 

Simple elicitation method was used to collect primary data from the 

research consultants. A prepared checklist by Okpoko and Emeafor 



Documentation of Flora Terms in Achi Variety of Igbo – Egenti & Uche 

 

114 

 

(2018) was used to elicit the data. Oral interviews were conducted 

and audio recordings of the interview sessions were made. Relevant 

information was noted during the interview sessions.  Articles from 

journals and other texts relevant to the study of plants were 

consulted for the secondary data. A total of fifteen respondents who 

are between the ages of forty and eighty-two were consulted for the 

research. They were randomly selected from three out of the twelve 

villages in Achi town. Data for this research was analyzed using the 

simple descriptive method. For easy identification and 

pronunciation of the plant names, all tones are marked. The tone 

marking convention adopted is that proposed by Nwachukwu 

(1995). According to this author, every syllable (high, step and, low) 

is marked in principle while in practice, only contrasting pitches or 

tones are marked leaving sameness unmarked. 

 

4. Data Presentation and Analysis 

In this section, the data are presented in a tabular format according 

to different agricultural classifications. In the tables, provision is 

made for the common names of the plants, botanical names, 

Standard Igbo names, names in Achi, the uses of the plants and the 

part of plants used. After each table, an analysis is provided. 

Table 1: Fruit 

S/

N 

English 

Name 

Botani

cal 

Name 

Stand

ard 

Igbo 

Name 

Name 

in 

Achi 

Use(s) of 

plant 

Part 

Used 

1 Lime Citrus 

limon 

Òròm

á 

ńkị́rị́sị́ 

Òròm

á 

ńkị́rị́s

hị́ 

a. Anti worm 

 

b. It is also 

used as a 

natural 

Juice 

from 

fruit. 

 



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115 

 

preservative 

(to preserve 

fresh akpụ). 

Whole 

fruit. 

2 Paw 

paw 

Carica 

papaya 

Ọ́kwụ̀

rụ́ 

óyìbó 

Ọ́kwụ̀

rụ́ 

bèkéè̀ 

a. Anti 

malaria 

 

b. Cure for 

typhoid fever. 

Leaves 

 

Leaves 

3 Avocad

o 

Persia 

Ameri

cana 

Ùbé 

óyìbó 

Ùbé 

bèkéè 

Treatment of 

arthritis, 

hypertension 

and high 

blood 

pressure. 

Seed 

4 Coconut Cocos 

nucifer

a 

Ákị́ 

óyìbó 

Ákụ́ 

bèkéè 

a. Contains 

natural juice. 

Fruit is eaten 

as a snack 

with 

breadfruit. 

b. Shell is 

burnt to 

produce 

activated 

charcoal. 

c. Used to 

produce 

brooms and 

baskets. 

Fruit 

 

 

Shell 

from 

fruit 

Leaves 

(fronds

) 



Documentation of Flora Terms in Achi Variety of Igbo – Egenti & Uche 

 

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5 Lemon Citrus 

limon 

 

Òròm

á 

ńkị́rị́sị́ 

Òròm

á 

ǹkák

wu ̣̄ 

Juice mixed 

with water 

aids in weight 

loss and 

relieves 

arthritis. 

Fruit 

 

From table 1, it can be observed that apart from the nutritional 

properties of the fruits (vitamins and minerals), they also have 

medicinal properties. Fruits like lime, lemon, avocado and pawpaw 

contain properties that aid the body in losing weight naturally. They 

fight worms in the body, relieve the pain of arthritis, treat 

malaria/typhoid and help regulate one's blood pressure. Coconut 

shells are burnt and ground to produce activated charcoal (a 

multipurpose natural remedy for different ailments). Activated 

charcoal has proven to be an antidote for snake poison. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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117 

 

Table 2: Vegetables 

S/

N 

Engli

sh 

Nam

e 

Botanic

al 

Name 

Standa

rd Igbo 

Name 

Name 

in 

Achi 

Use(s) of 

plant 

Part 

Used 

6 Basil 

(scen

t 

leave

s) 

Ocimu

m 

basilicu

m 

Ǹchụ́ān

wụ̄ 
Àhụ́g

bè/Ǹs

hígbú 

ǹkụ́tā 

a. For 

detoxification

. 

 

b.Also used 

as vegetable 

for cooking. 

It adds 

flavour to 

food. 

Leave

s 

 

Leave

s 

7 Gard

en 

Egg 

Solanu

m 

melong

ena 

Áṅ àrà Àhụ́h

ā/Ákụ̀ 

ọ́hē 

a. For making 

local sauce 

and for eating 

abacha. 

b. Used as 

blood tonic. 

Fruit 

 

 

Leave

s 



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8 Pum

pkin 

Cucurbi

ta spp 

Ányụ́/Ụ́

gbọ̀gụ̀lụ̀ 

Ányụ́/

Ụ́gbọ̀

gị̀rị̀ 

a. Vegetable 

for cooking 

soup and yam 

pottage. 

b. The 

pumpkin is 

boiled and its 

filling is used 

to prepare 

yam porridge. 

c. Seed is 

another 

specie of 

ègwúsí, used 

for cooking 

soup. 

Leave

s 

 

 

Fruit 

 

 

 

 

 

Seed 

9 Fruit

ed  

Pum

pkin 

Telfairi

a 

occiden

talis 

Ụ́gụ̄ Ụ́gu ̣̄ a. Used as 

vegetable for 

soup and 

other foods. 

b. Juice from 

crushed 

leaves serves 

as blood 

tonic. 

Leave

s 

1

0 

Cam 

wood

/Red 

sanda

l 

Pteroca

rpus 

mildbra

edii 

Ọ̀rá Ọ̀há Used to 

prepare oha 

soup. 

Leave

s 



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119 

 

1

1 

Afric

an 

salad 

Gongro

nema 

latifoliu

m 

Ụ̀tàzị Ụ̀tàƷị ̀ a. Used as 

vegetable for 

soup, and 

garnishing 

for other 

foods. 

b. Used in the 

treatment of 

cough, 

intestinal 

worms, 

dysentery, 

diabetes and 

high blood 

pressure. 

Leave

s 

1

2 

Bitter 

leaf 

Vernoni

a 

amygda

lina 

Ònúgbù Òlígb

è 

a. For 

cooking soup. 

 

b. Anti 

diarrhoea 

Leave

s 

 

Leave

s 

1

3 

Siam 

weed

/Chri

stmas 

bush 

Chromo

lena 

odorata 

Ábànị̀ 

dị̀ égwù 

Ọ̀bị̀àr

à 

ọ́hụ́u ̣̄ 

a. Used for 

darkening 

black board. 

b. Treatment 

for ulcer. 

c. Used to 

stop bleeding. 

Leave

s 

 

Leave

s 

 

Leave

s 

 



Documentation of Flora Terms in Achi Variety of Igbo – Egenti & Uche 

 

120 

 

Table 2 shows that vegetables are not just used for cooking soups or 

making other kinds of dishes. When properly washed and squeezed 

or blended, the juices from the vegetables serve as blood tonic and 

detoxifiers. In addition, the Ọ̀bị̀àrà ōhụ́u ̣̄ 'Siam weed/Christmas 

bush' for example, is used to darken black board. It also has health 

benefits like treating burns, stomach ulcers and stopping bleeding. 

Other vegetables like Àhụ́gbè 'basil' and Òlígbè 'bitterleaf', serve as 

detoxifiers and anti-diarrheal remedies. The basil plant/scent leaf is 

called ǹshígbú specifically because of its strong scent. It is used to 

improve the aroma and flavour of dishes. The garden egg fruit is 

called Àhụ́hā while the leaf is called Ákụ̀ ọ́hē. The garden egg leaves 

are used to prepare soup and yam porridge.  

 

Table 3 Root/Tubers 

S/

N 

Englis

h 

Name 

Botanical 

Name 

Standard 

Igbo 

Name 

Nam

e in 

Achi 

Use(s) of 

plant 

Par

t 

Use

d 

14 Cassav

a 

Manihot 

esculenta 

Ákpụ ́ Jígb

ọ́ọ̀ 

To 

produce 

garri, 

akpụ 

(swallow)

, flour for 

akpụ and 

bread, 

tapioca 

for 

abacha. 

Ro

ot 



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121 

 

15 White 

Yam 

Dioscorea 

cayennens

is 

Jí ọ́chá Ńné 

jī 

a. Boiled 

and eaten 

with oil 

or local 

sauce. 

b. Boiled 

and 

pounded, 

to be 

eaten 

with 

soup. 

Ro

ot 

16 Water 

Yam 

Dioscorea 

alata 

M̀bànà/Àb

ànà 

M̀vụ̀

là 

a. Boiled 

and eaten. 

b.   Good 

for 

diabetic 

patients. 

Ro

ot 

17 Three 

leaf 

/bitter 

yam 

Dioscorea 

dumentori

um 

Ọ̀nà Ọ̀là a. Boiled 

and eaten. 

b. Good 

for 

diabetic 

and 

hypertens

ive 

patients. 

Ro

ot 

18 Sweet 

Potatoe

s 

Ipomoea 

batatas 

Ǹdùkú Jí 

bèké

è 

Boiled or 

roasted 

and eaten. 

Ro

ot 



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19 Cocoy

am 

Xanthoso

ma 

sagittifoli

um 

Édè Édè 

árọ̀ 

Paste 

used as a 

thickener 

for soup. 

Ro

ot 

20 Indian 

Cocoy

am 

Colocasia 

spp 

Kòkó 

Índìà/Édè 

ọ́chá 

Árụ́l

á 

a. Boiled 

and eaten 

with oil 

or as 

porridge. 

b. Used 

to make 

achịcha 

(local 

delicacy). 

Ro

ot 

 

In table 3, the root and tuber plants are sources of energy and 

carbohydrate. Their end products are used to prepare a variety of 

dishes and raw foods like garri, cassava flour, and yam flour. Some 

like édè árọ̀ 'cocoyam' is used as a soup thickener when pounded. 

Ọ̀là 'three leaf/bitter yam' is recommended for diabetic patients. 

Generally, yam, some species of cocoyam, and sweet potatoes are 

boiled and eaten with oil, but they can also be fried, roasted or 

cooked into porridge. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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123 

 

Table 4: Nuts 

S/

N 

Engl

ish 

Nam

e 

Botan

ical 

Name 

Stand

ard 

Igbo 

Name 

Nam

e in 

Achi 

Use(s) of plant Part 

Used 

2

1 

Bitte

r 

Kola 

Garci

nia 

kola 

Ákị́ 

ílū 

Úgúg

órìò 

For treating 

cough and 

stomach ache. 

Chewing it helps 

to deworm the 

stomach. 

Seed 

2

2 

Kola

nut 

Cola 

nitida 

Ọ́jị́ Ọ́jị́ Used for 

welcoming 

visitors. It is also 

presented at 

various 

occasions at the 

start of a 

programme/cere

mony. 

Seed 

2

3 

Grou

nd-

nut 

Arach

is 

hypog

aea 

Àhụ́ék

érē 

Ọ̀pàp

á 

a. Roasted or 

boiled and eaten 

as a snack. 

b. Paste is eaten 

with garden egg 

and presented to 

visitors at home 

and at 

occasions. 

 

Seed 



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124 

 

c. It is also for 

producing oil. 

2

4 

Waln

ut 

Tetrac

apidui

m 

conop

horu

m 

Ụ́kpà Ụ́kpà

kàlàtà 

a. Chewed as a 

snack. 

b. Good for the 

brain cells. 

Seed 

 

In table 4, bitter kola 'Úgúgórìò' is chewed as a remedy for cough. 

It also fights worms in the stomach. In addition, kola nut 'ọ́jị́' is 

presented to visitors, and it is usually broken to kick-start most 

occasions. It is also used to welcome visitors to one's home. In the 

absence of kolanut, garden egg and groundnuts can be used to 

welcome visitors. Groundnuts 'Ọ̀pàpá' and walnuts 'Ụ́kpàkàlàtà' are 

eaten as snacks. Walnuts are said to improve brain function.  

Vegetable oil is produced from groundnuts. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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125 

 

Table 5 Spices and Food Condiments 

S/

N 

Englis

h 

Name 

Botanica

l Name 

Standa

rd 

Igbo 

Name 

Name 

in 

Achi 

Use(s) of 

plant 

Part 

Used 

 

25 

Ethiopi

an 

pepper 

Xylopia 

aethiopic

a 

Ụ́dà Ụ́dà 

 

 

a. For 

detoxificati

on. 

b. When 

cooked 

with ụ̀tàzị ̀

leaves and 

drunk, it 

helps to 

treat 

gynaecolog

ical issues 

like 

unhealthy 

colouration 

during 

menstruati

on. 

Seed 

 

 

 

 

 

Seed 

26 Black 

pepper 

Piper 

giuneens

e 

Ụ́zị́zá Ḿkpụ́r

ụ́ 

ụ́zụ́zá 

a. Used as 

vegetable 

for soup 

and to 

spice food. 

b.       Used 

to cook 

Leav

es 

 

 

 

 

 



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126 

 

food for a 

woman 

that has 

just been 

delivered 

of a child 

or put to 

bed (for 

detoxificati

on). 

 

c. Used as 

vegetable 

for soup. 

Seed 

 

 

Leav

es 

27 Pepper Capsicu

m annum 

Ósè Ọ́sè To spice 

food and 

improve its 

taste. 

Fruit 

28 Melon Citrullus 

vulgaris 

Ègwúsí Àhụ́ 

èrè 

a. For 

preparing 

soup. 

b. Used for 

producing 

oil. 

c.   Also 

used for 

making 

ògìrì. 

Seed 

29 African 

mango 

Irvingia 

wombulu 

Ọ̀gbọ̀n

ọ̀ 

Ọ̀gbọ̀l

ọ̀ 

Used for 

cooking 

soup. 

Seed 



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127 

 

30 African 

nutmeg 

Mondora 

spp 

Éhùrù Éhùrù a. To spice 

food. 

b. Boiled 

with the 

pod to 

make 

pepper 

soup for a 

woman 

that has 

just been 

delivered 

of a child 

or put to 

bed. Serves 

as a 

detoxifier. 

Seed 

31 Breadfr

uit 

Artocarp

us 

communi

s 

Ụ́kwà Ụ́kwà a. Cooked 

as a meal. 

b.   

Roasted 

and eaten 

as a snack 

with 

coconut 

Seed 

 

Seed 

32 Castor 

oil 

plant 

Ricirius 

communi

s 

Ògìrì Ọ́gwā For 

producing 

local 

condiment 

and for 

Seed 



Documentation of Flora Terms in Achi Variety of Igbo – Egenti & Uche 

 

128 

 

producing 

oil 

33 Tallow 

tree 

Afalia 

Africana 

Ísí 

ọ́chá 

Ákpàr

átā 

Used as 

thickener 

for soup. 

Seed 

34 Oil 

bean 

Pentaclet

hra 

macroph

ylla 

Ụ̀kpák

ā 

Àkpák

ā 

a. Has 

blood 

building 

properties. 

b. Used as 

condiment 

for various 

local 

dishes. 

Seed 

 

Table 5 presents the plants that are used as food spices and 

condiments. In addition to spicing foods, they possess health 

properties which detoxifies and cleanse one's body system. Oil bean 

'Àkpákā' helps in blood building and Ethiopian pepper 'ụda' treats 

gynecological issues like black menstruation. Ògìrì gotten from 

castor oil seed known as 'ọ́gwā' and melon seed 'Àhụ́ èrè' are used 

as local condiments to improve the flavour of soups and other local 

dishes. Ogiri goes through fermentation and because of this process, 

it contains probiotics (good microorganisms). Other health benefits 

of ògiri include easy bowel movement, enhancement of the immune 

system, and regulation of blood sugar and improvement of gut 

health. Àkpàrátā seed from 'tallow tree' is used as a soup thickener. 

When a woman gives birth to a child, meals are prepared for her 

with Ethiopian pepper, black pepper and African nut meg to help 

relieve the pains of labour and help her heal. African Mango seed 

'ọ̀gbọ̀nọ̀' is used to prepare soup. 



          Awka Journal of Linguistics and Languages, Special Edition 1,  2022 

 

129 

 

 

Table 6 Cereals/Grains/Other Plants 

S/

N 

English 

Name 

Botan

ical 

Name 

Stand

ard 

Igbo 

Name 

Nam

e in 

Achi 

Use(s) of 

plant 

Part 

Used 

35 Maize Zea 

mays 

Ọ́kà Àkpà

àkpà 

a. Used for 

a variety of 

foods when 

processed. 

b. Also 

used for 

preparing 

corn meal 

and corn 

flour.  

Seed 

36 Millet Millet

tia 

thonni

ngii 

Ọ́kà 

nwá 

ájátá 

Ńgị̄jị̄ a. For 

producing 

pap, and 

flour. 

b. When 

fried or 

roasted and 

pounded, it 

is used to 

prepare 

cocoyam 

porridge. 

c. Used as 

food for 

birds. 

Seed 

 

Seed 

 

 

 

Seed 



Documentation of Flora Terms in Achi Variety of Igbo – Egenti & Uche 

 

130 

 

37 Plantain Musa 

paradi

siaca 

Ójókō

/Jíókō 

Ụ̀lè 

áká 

ńkụ́tā 

a. Unripe 

plantain 

gives iron. 

 b. Treats 

diarrhea 

when eaten 

(boiled/roa

sted) 

without oil. 

c. The peel 

when 

burned 

produces 

activated 

charcoal 

and is used 

for treating 

eczema. 

Fruit 

 

Fruit 

 

 

Peel 

from 

fruit. 

38 Short 

plantain 

Musa 

balbis

iana 

Únèrè 

ójíī 

Ụ̀lè 

ụ́sụ́kp

ọ̄ 

Eaten raw 

when ripe. 

Boiled and 

eaten when 

unripe. 

Fruit 

39 Pepper 

fruit 

Denn

ettia 

tripeta

la 

Ḿmị̀m

ị̀ 

Ọ́rị̀ụ́h

wū ̣

a. Hot 

pepper is 

eaten alone 

or with 

garden 

eggs. 

Fruit 

 

Leaves 



          Awka Journal of Linguistics and Languages, Special Edition 1,  2022 

 

131 

 

b. For 

treatment 

of burns 

40 Alligato

r pepper 

Afra

monu

m 

meleg

ueta 

Ósè 

ọ́jī 

Ọ́hụ̀ 

ọ́sè 

Ground 

paste 

mixed with 

pepper and 

other 

condiments 

is used to 

serve 

garden egg 

to visitors 

at 

occasions. 

Seed 



Documentation of Flora Terms in Achi Variety of Igbo – Egenti & Uche 

 

132 

 

41 Lemon 

grass 

Cymb

opogo

n 

citratu

s 

Ǹché 

áwụ́lá 

Ọ́gwū 

òchí 

īshī 

a. Usually 

planted 

around the 

house to 

ward off 

snakes. 

b. Treats 

headache 

when 

leaves are 

crushed 

and 

inhaled. 

c. The 

liquid from 

the boiled 

leaves 

when 

drunk, 

detoxifies 

the body 

and aids in 

weight 

loss. 

d. Used to 

treat cough 

and 

catarrh. 

Leaves 

 

 

Leaves 

 

 

Leaves 

 

 

 

Leaves 

 

Table 6 presents grains and other plants that are grown in Achi. 

Maize and millet when processed is used to produce pap and flour. 



          Awka Journal of Linguistics and Languages, Special Edition 1,  2022 

 

133 

 

Their seeds also serve as food for birds. Unripe plantain is a major 

source of iron. Fermented unripe plantain has also been shown to 

relieve stomach ulcers.  When roasted or boiled and eaten without 

oil, unripe plantain is used to stop runny stomach and vomiting. 

Activated charcoal used in treating skin infections like eczema is 

gotten from the burnt peel of plantain. When chewed and placed on 

the surface area, pepper fruit 'Ọ́rị̀ụ́hwū'̣ is used to treat burns. Pepper 

fruit and alligator pepper can be eaten with garden eggs and they are 

sometimes served to welcome visitors in the absence of kolanut. 

Lemon grass 'Ọ́gwū òchí īshī' is useful for the treatment of headache 

(when inhaled), for detoxification and for weight loss (when boiled 

and drunk). It is also interesting to note that lemon grass is planted 

in homes to ward off snakes. 

 

Table 7: Plants (woods) for Building and Construction 

S/N English 

Name 

Bota

nical 

Nam

e 

Stand

ard 

Igbo 

Name 

Name 

in 

Achi 

Use(s) of 

plant 

Part 

Used 

42 Palm 

tree 

Elaei

s 

guine

ensis 

Úkwù 

ńkwụ̄ 

Úkwù 

ńkwū ̣

a. Serve 

multi-

purposes. 

Palm oil, 

kernel 

oil, 

broom, 

basket, 

local 

soap, 

local 

cinders 

Fruit, 

leaves, 

stem, 

trunk. 



Documentation of Flora Terms in Achi Variety of Igbo – Egenti & Uche 

 

134 

 

and other 

products 

are 

gotten 

from 

different 

parts of 

this tree. 

b. Wood 

from 

trunk is 

used to 

produce 

timber 

for 

furniture 

making. 

43 Raffia 

palm 

Raph

ia 

farini

fera 

Ńgwọ̀ Ńgwọ̀ a. Serves 

as an 

alcoholic 

drink. 

b. The 

wine is 

good for 

the eyes. 

Stem 

44 Bamboo Bam

busa 

vulga

ris 

Ọ́tọ̄sị̄ Àchàr

à 

a. For 

making 

ladder 

and 

building 

Stem 



          Awka Journal of Linguistics and Languages, Special Edition 1,  2022 

 

135 

 

wooden 

fence. 

b. Sticks 

are also 

used for 

firewood 

and to 

support 

buildings 

45 Mulberr

y/Iroko 

Milic

ia 

excel

s 

Ọ́jị̀ Ọ́jị̀ For 

producin

g timber 

used in 

making 

furniture 

of all 

kinds 

Trunk 

46 Oak tree Brac

hyste

gia 

euryc

oma 

Áchị́ Áchị́ a. Used 

as 

thickener 

for soup. 

b. Treats 

diabetes 

and helps 

wound to 

heal 

faster. 

c. For 

producin

g timber 

Seed 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trunk 



Documentation of Flora Terms in Achi Variety of Igbo – Egenti & Uche 

 

136 

 

47 Silk 

cotton 

Ceib

a 

perita

ndra 

Ákpụ́  Ákpụ ́ Used to 

produce 

wood 

(lintel) 

for 

supportin

g walls. 

Trunk 

48 African 

tulip tree 

Neub

ouldi

a 

laevi

s 

Ògírìsì Ógìrìs

hì 

Used for 

boundary 

demarcat

ion. 

Trunk 

49 Tola Priori

a 

balsa

mifer

a 

Ágbā  Ágbā Used in 

making 

furniture. 

Trunk 

50 Mahoga

ny 

Swiet

enia 

Ósísí 

màhọ́g

ānị̀ 

Óghùr

ù 

Used for 

producin

g timber 

used in 

making 

furniture 

of 

different 

kinds. 

Trunk 

 

Table 7 presents plants that are used to produce woods and furniture 

of various kinds. Iroko, oak, silk cotton, tola, mahogany, palm trees 

and others are used to produce timber for furniture of different kinds 

such as chairs, tables, shelves, skeletal roofing, window and door 



          Awka Journal of Linguistics and Languages, Special Edition 1,  2022 

 

137 

 

frames, ladder, pillars for yam barns, and so on. The sticks from 

bamboo tree are also used to make ladder, local fence, pillar support 

in buildings, and firewood. Tulip tree usually serves as boundary 

demarcation between two lands. The drink from raffia palm is said 

to improve eyesight. Palm wine and other by-products are gotten 

from palm trees. It is argued that no part of a palm tree goes to waste 

because they are put to use in their different forms. Products such as 

oil, local soap, potash, local cinders, brooms, baskets, kernel, and so 

on can be gotten from palm tree. It serves economic purpose too as 

these products can be sold to earn a living. 

Some plants serve as forage for livestock. The leaves and 

twigs of the following plants are used as forage for goats, sheep, 

cows, and pigs: cassava, palm tree, breadfruit tree, pawpaw, 

pumpkin, potatoes, bamboo, bitter leaves, avocado, groundnut and 

cam wood leaves. 

Handcraft items like brooms, baskets, local trays, chewing 

sticks, and walking sticks are gotten from palm trees, coconut trees, 

bitter leaf stalk, tola tree and so on. 

5. Summary and Conclusion 

The exploration of the traditional uses of plants among the Achi 

people reveals that there are a lot of indigenous plants that are grown 

in the community. Based on the findings of this study, it is evident 

that there exist plants indigenous to the Achi people and these plants 

have different cultural, nutritional, and medicinal values. Some of 

the plant names identified are the same with the Standard Igbo 

names. Others vary with the Standard Igbo variant lexically and 

phonologically. The study concludes that the terms for these floras 

are unique to Achi as some of them like Àhúgbè/Ǹshígbú Ńkụ́tā 

'basil/scent leaves', Àhụ́hā 'garden egg', Jígbọ́ọ̀ 'cassava', Úgúgórìò 

'bitter kola', Àhụ́ èrè 'melon', Àkpààkpà 'maize', Ụ́kpàkàlàtà 

'walnut', and others are distinctive when compared with the Standard 



Documentation of Flora Terms in Achi Variety of Igbo – Egenti & Uche 

 

138 

 

Igbo or other variants of the Igbo language. The study further 

concludes that this aspect of the Achi culture is endangered as most 

of the young native speakers are not able to identify the plants or 

their uses. Also, the older speakers who possess this invaluable 

knowledge are dying without passing it on. This study focuses on 

fifty flora plants which did not cover all the indigenous plants that 

can be found in Achi Community. What this means is that further 

studies are recommended.  

 

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