•Wild Mango
•Ogbono
•Irvingia gabonensis
These are actually different names for the same plant species — Irvingia gabonensis — commonly known as:
Overview:
•Scientific name: Irvingia gabonensis
•Common names: Wild Mango, African Mango, Bush Mango, Dika Nut, Ogbono
•Native to: West and Central Africa
Key Uses:
1.Culinary:
•The seeds (often called ogbono seeds) are widely used in West African cooking, especially in soups like ogbono soup. The ground seeds have a mucilaginous (slimy) texture when cooked, similar to okra.
•The fruit is edible and resembles a mango, which is why it’s often called “wild mango.”
2.Nutritional and Medicinal:
•The seeds are high in fat and protein.
•Supplements made from Irvingia gabonensis extract have been marketed for weight loss and cholesterol control, though scientific evidence is mixed.
3.Commercial:
•The oil extracted from the seeds (sometimes called dika oil) is used in cooking, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.