Ugu (fluted pumpkin), has the botanical name Telfairia Occidentalis. It is a tropical vine grown in West Africa. This is an indigenous vegetable crop in Africa. It is also called fluted pumpkin. Ugu plant is cultivated mainly for its leaves. It is a major part of African delicacy. The commercial cultivation of Ugu is so lucrative as Ugu vegetables are short term cash flow that require little or no capital to cultivate.

They are edible when boiled or cooked with foods. It can also be taken as a vegetable salad or as juice when mashed as fresh leaves and the juice extracted. It contains calcium, iron, potassium, and manganese. It also provides a good amount of vitamin C, A, B2, and E.