Telfairia occidentalis

Telfairia occidentalis, commonly known as African winged pea or koko bean, is a climbing vine native to the coastal regions of West and Central Africa. This plant thrives in moist environments with light to partial sun, making it adaptable to various soil types including sandy, medium, and clay soils. It can grow up to 15 meters tall, providing a distinctive feature through its sprawling nature. While primarily known for its edible leaves, Telfairia occidentalis is also found across countries such as Benin, Cabinda, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Guinea, Gulf of Guinea Islands, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Uganda, highlighting its widespread native range in the region.