Description

Ugu is the Igbo language for fluted pumpkin leaves and the botanical name for ugu is Telfairia occidentalis. The ugu plant is a tropical vine grown in West Africa as a leaf vegetable of for its seeds.

Pumpkin leaf, which is locally known as "Ugu," is one of those plants that secretly carry some unbelievable health benefits. ... And the few who deem themselves knowing, know only little about the plant. Pumpkin leaves have a healthy amount of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, and Iron. Ugu or fluted pumpkin is known scientifically as TelfairiaOccidentalis, a tropical vine plant native to West Africa but occurs mostly in its cultivated form in various parts of southern Nigeria. It is widely cultivated for its palatable and nutritious leaves, which are used mainly as vegetable compliment meal such as Egusi soup, vegetable soup, ogbonno soup, etc.