This species is very similar to Dioclea reflexa in its vegetative characters, being more easily distinguished when in flower or fruit. The reports on plant uses from [] may possibly be referring to Dioclea reflexa, though it is also likely that they are referring to both Dioclea reflexa and this species[].

Common Name:

General Information

Dioclea violacea is a vigorous climbing, evergreen shrub with woody stems that twine into the surrounding vegetation[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and emergency food. It is considered to be beautiful when in flower[], but we have seen no reports of cultivation[].

Known Hazards

The seeds have a reputation for being poisonous - perhaps unjustifiably[].
The seeds of many species in this genus are likely to be used as an emergency food in times of need. We have no specific information on this species, but the seeds of many (if not all) of the species in this genus contain antinutritional substances[]. This is not unusual - the seeds of many commonly eaten legumes (including the various Phaseolus species) also often contain antinutritional substances -these are largely removed in the cooking or other preparatory process (such as sprouting). Unless there is clear information that the seeds of this species are completely safe to eat, then it would be unwise to eat them raw; or to consume large quantities of them in one meal; or to consume then on a regular basis over a long period of time[].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

Seed - cooked[]. Used as an emergency food in times of need, when they are often dried and ground into a powder then added to other foods such as flour or stews[].
The mature seedpod is 10 - 15cm long, about 5cm wide and about 2cm. thick, containing 3 - 4 seeds. The hard biconvex seeds are brown, with conspicuous black mottling, around 26 - 29mm in greatest diameter[].

Medicinal

The cooked seed is used as a tonic, for calming the nervous system, and as a parasiticide[]. It is used in the treatment of apoplexy and epilepsy.

The seed of this species (and many other members of the genus) contain lectins that have a range of actions within the body that are of interest to the pharmaceutical industry. Many have the potential as the basis of new drugs to treat a range of diseases including cancer.

Other Uses

The seeds have been used as an ant poison[].

Propagation

The seed has a very tough seedcoat and a firm flesh. Many species in the genus grow near rivers or the sea and their seeds can be carried for many months over long distances in the water, whilst retaining viability. It is believed that the seed of some species can retain viability for over 100 years in the soil so long as the seedcoat is not damaged. In order to get the seeds to germinate within one's own lifetime, it is generally necessary to damage the seedcoat without damaging the flesh inside. This can be done quite easily by either cutting a notch into the seedcoat, or abrading it with sandpaper. Once this is done, soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and it should germinate quite quickly[].

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