Tag: Local names

Did you know that in India alone, the elephant foot yam goes by over a dozen regional names, including Suran and Jimikand? Understanding what is the local name of elephant foot yam reveals its cultural significance and widespread use across Asia, showcasing how a single vegetable can have many identities.

According to the Department of Science and Technology's Food and Nutrition Research Institute in the Philippines, moringa, locally called malunggay, is celebrated as a highly nutritious 'miracle vegetable'. This fast-growing, drought-resistant tree, scientifically named *Moringa oleifera*, has become a staple in Filipino cuisine and traditional medicine.