Scoping review maps how spider plant is used across Sub-Saharan Africa

Spider plant (Cleome gynandra L.), an indigenous leafy vegetable widely consumed across Sub-Saharan Africa, has been systematically neglected in agriculture and food systems despite its adaptability to harsh environments and its nutritional benefits, according to a scoping review published on 28 October 2026 in the journal Discover Food.

The review, led by Maanea Lonia Ramphinwa with colleagues including Bono Nethathe, Selekane Ananias Motadi and Mpho Edward Mashau, identified and synthesised existing literature on spider plant use in the region, focusing on its cultivation, consumption, nutritional value, processing, value addition and associated challenges. The authors conducted a comprehensive literature search using major electronic databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar.

According to the review, the spider plant is widely used across many Sub-Saharan African countries both as an indigenous leafy vegetable and as a medicinal plant. The crop is reported to contain high levels of protein, dietary fibre, vitamins A, C and E, important minerals including iron, calcium, zinc and magnesium, and antioxidants.

The authors conclude that the crop is of great significance in promoting dietary diversity, micronutrient intake and household food security, and that it holds enormous potential for nutrition security and sustainable agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa. As a scoping review, the study synthesises previously published research rather than presenting new experimental findings, and its conclusions reflect the scope of the literature it identified.

Looking ahead, the review states that future studies should explore the use of spider plant for biological fortification of various food products to enhance their nutritional quality and functional properties. The article is published open access, and the version shared at publication is a peer-reviewed, accepted manuscript that remains subject to further editorial edits before the final Version of Record.

Subject of Research: Use of the indigenous leafy vegetable spider plant (Cleome gynandra) in Sub-Saharan Africa

Article Title: Utilisation of spider plant (Cleome gynandra L.) in Sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review

Article References: Ramphinwa, M. L., Nethathe, B., Motadi, S. A., Thovhogi, F., Ogola, J. B. O., Matlakala, F. K., & Mashau, M. E. (2026). Utilisation of spider plant (Cleome gynandra L.) in Sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review. Discover Food. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-026-01324-x

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1007/s44187-026-01324-x

Keywords: spider plant, Cleome gynandra, Sub-Saharan Africa, indigenous vegetables, scoping review, nutrition security, food security, micronutrients, dietary diversity, sustainable agriculture, Utilisation, spider