Icacina Mannii, Oliver. Africa (area not specified). Tubers eaten after detoxification. They are subject to extensive
Icacina senegalensis, Juss. West Africa (Upper Shari region): yields tubers up to 18" long and 12" in diameter. The starchy tuber is cut up and leached in running water to remove the toxic element and to facilitate maceration. The pieces are afterwards dried, pounded, and strained to remove the fibres.They are either eaten without further processing or, more often, together with a starchy flour made from the seeds. They are also prepared into an edible paste by the addition of boiling water. Sénégal/Guinea: the pink pulp of the fruit is edible, and the seeds as well, after preparation. They are put to steep in water for a week, which is changed every morning to rid it of its bitter element. They are then left to dry in the sun for two days. Finally, they are reduced to flour by pounding. This meal can be mixed with that of millet or beans to make enap (a thick paste). It is also said this preparation quickly satisfies guests. If the root is added to water, it is used as an abortifacient. Among the Konyagi, the warmed leaves are applied as a dressing against pain, particularly in cases of elephantiasis. Ref. IRVINE; FERRY et al., MIEGE, UPHOF.