Nus Community: Species List

Examples of neglected and underutilized species are shown in the tables below (source: Bioversity International 2007). Note that some species may be underutilized in some locations or in some aspects but not in others. These species are 'neglected' by research and development efforts with very little attention given to selecting, breeding or disseminating improved varieties, investigating and sharing enhanced management practices, creating markets or strengthening their supply chains. They are 'underutilized' with reference to their potential. Not all species can rival rice but some could become much more important in local food systems and global markets with positive outcomes for the income of producer communities and the nutrition of local and global consumers.

Cereals


Scientific name	Common name	Use	Location
Chenopodium quinoa	Quinoa	Cereal	Latin America
Digitaria exilis	Fonio	Cereal	Africa
Eleusine coracana	Finger millet	Cereal	Asia
Eragrostis tef	Tef	Cereal	Africa
Fagopyrum esculentum	Buckwheat	Cereal	Asia, Europe
Setaria italica	Foxtail millet	Cereal	Asia, Europe

Legumes


Scientific name	Common name	Use	Location
Kerstingiella geocarpa	Kersting's groundnut	Legume	Africa
Lablab purpureus	Hyacinth bean	Legume, fodder	Africa, Asia
Sphenostylis stenocarpa	African yam bean	Legume	Africa
Vigna subterranea	Bambara groundnut	Legume	Africa

Roots and Tubers


Scientific name	Common name	Use	Location
Plectranthus esculentus	Livingstone potato	Tuber	Africa
Smallanthus sonchifolius	Yacon	Tuber	Latin America
Ullucus tuberosus	Ulluco	Tuber	Latin America

Fruits and Nuts


Scientific name	Common name	Use	Location
Adansonia digitata	Baobab	Fruit, leafy vegetable	Africa
Aegle marmelos	Bael	Fruit	Asia
Annona squamosa	Custard apple	Fruit	Africa, Latin America
Artocarpus heterophyllus	Jackfruit	Fruit	Asia
Bactris gasipaes	Peach palm	Fruit	Latin America
Canarium indicum	Nangai nut	Nut	Asia
Carissa edulis	Natal plum	Fruit	Africa
Ceratonia siliqua	Carob, locust bean	Fruit	Africa, Europe
Choerospondias axillaris	Lapsi	Fruit	Asia
Cornus mas	Cornelian cherry	Fruit	Europe
Crataegus monogyna	Hawthorne	Fruit, medicinal	Asia, Europe
Cydonia oblonga	Quince	Fruit	Asia, Europe
Eleagnus angustifolia	Russian olives	Fruit	Asia
Emblica officinalis	Indian gooseberry	Fruit	Asia
Garcinia mangostana	Mangosteen	Fruit	Asia
Hippophae rhamnoides	Sea buckthorn	Medicinal, fruit	Asia
Irvingia gabonensis	Dika nut	Fruit, nut	Africa
Lagenaria sphaerica	Wild calabash	Fruit, medicine	Africa
Ricinodendron heudelotii	Ndjanssang	Fruit	Asia
Tamarindus indica	Tamarind	Fruit	Asia
Ziziphus sp.	Ber, jujube	Fruit	Africa, Asia, Europe

Vegetables


Scientific name	Common name	Use	Location
Adansonia digitata	Baobab	Fruit, leafy vegetable	Africa
Amaranthus spp.	Amaranth	Vegetable	Africa, Asia, Latin America
Artemisia dracunculus	Estragon	Vegetable, spice	Asia, Europe
Basella rubra	Ceylon spinach	Vegetable	Asia
Borago officinalis	Borage	Vegetable, medicinal	Europe
Boscia coriacea	Boscia	Vegetable, medicinal	Africa
Campanula rapunculus	Rampion	Vegetable	Europe
Cichorium intybus	Chicory	Vegetable	Asia, Europe
Cleome gynandra	Cat's whiskers	Vegetable	Africa
Corchorus olitorius	Jute	Vegetable, fibre crop	Africa, Asia, Europe
Leucaena leucocephala	Leucaena	Vegetable, fodder	Africa
Moringa oleifera	Moringa	Medicinal, vegetable	Africa, Asia
Muscari comosum	Tassel hyacinth	Vegetable	Europe
Pastinaca sativa	Parsnip	Vegetable	Europe
Portulaca oleracea	Purslane	Vegetable	Asia, Europe
Salsola kali	Blackbush	Vegetable	Europe
Solanum nigrum	Black nightshade	Vegetable	Africa

Neglected and Underutilized
Species Community

NUS
Community

Species List

Cereals

Legumes

Roots and Tubers

Fruits and Nuts

Vegetables

Neglected and Underutilized Species Community

Species List

Cereals

Legumes

Roots and Tubers

Fruits and Nuts

Vegetables

Neglected and Underutilized
Species Community