9.5-foot tall, Record-Breaking African Spinach Discovered in Ekiti

A towering 9.5-foot tall African Spinach has been discovered in Ikoro-Ekiti, a town in Ekiti.

The plant, locally referred to as “Efo Tete,” which is potentially the tallest plant ever recorded in Africa, has piqued the interest of both scientists and tourists.

In the backyard of Mr. Lawrence Ajolokan, a farmer in the Eso-Obe Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of the state, the spinach was discovered by Wale Ojo-Lanre, the Director-General of Ekiti State Tourism Development Bureau. The spinach is currently developing and has not yet produced seeds.

Ojo-Lanre said, “This isn’t just a plant. It’s a potential world record holder, a scientific curiosity, and a tourism gem all wrapped in one.”

According to Ajolokan, he planted the seed in June 2024 and had harvested parts of the plant previously.

However, the farmer claimed that he had consistently refrained from harvesting a specific stalk because of a peculiar instinct that instructed him not to weed or harvest it.

The spinach, which has reached its current height of 9.5 feet, continued to grow without any visible fruiting while left unattended. 

Ajolokan stated that he was unaware of the plant’s distinctiveness until Mr. Lester Olaifa, a journalist and community leader in Ikoro, pointed out its distinctive height and girth during a visit to his farm.

The Chairman of Eso-Obe LCDA, Mr Bankole Ayeni, said that protective measures were put in place to preserve the plant.

This is as interest from both the tourism and agricultural sectors increase, as the spinach has surpassed the tallest known African Spinach recorded at 8.3 feet in Benue in 2018.

The traditional ruler of the community, Olukoro of Ikoro-Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Adeleye, praised the state government for its swift response upon discovery of the unique plant.

“Ikoro is not just an ancient town but a custodian of living heritage,” he said.

The bureau has commenced documentation and is consulting agricultural experts to investigate the factors behind the plant’s unusual growth, as well as to discuss plans for its preservation and future exhibition.