Dolichos trinervatus
Baker
Fabaceae
Dolichos pratorum Harms
Dolichos tricostatus Baker
Dolichos trinervis De Wild.
Common Name:
General Information
Dolichos trinervatus is an erect, herbaceous perennial plant producing several unbranched or sparsely branched stems from a woody rootstock that is 10 - 20cm deep and 2cm wide. The plant usually grows 30 - 80cm tall, occasionally reaching 130cm[
328- Title
- African Flowering Plants Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/recherche.php
- Publisher
- Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques.
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains information on over 150,000 plant names (including synonyms) giving a description and habitat, plus a distribution map.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials.
Dolichos trinervatus has a large geographical distribution, the species is known to occur within the protected areas network and aside from general threats in the region is not thought to be specifically threatened or in decline. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
308- Title
- Flora Zambesiaca
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://apps.kew.org/efloras/fz/intro.html
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online flora of plants from the Zambezi River basin. It lists a number of the plant uses as well as the habitats and botanical descriptions of the plants.
Range
Southern Africa - Angola, southern DR Congo, Zambia, southern Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique
Habitat
Brachystegia woodland, savannah, miombo- or Uapaca-woodland, Hyparrhenia open woodland, granite and limestone outcrops, dambo margins, near rivers and waterfalls; at elevations from 450 - 2,100 metres[
328- Title
- African Flowering Plants Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/recherche.php
- Publisher
- Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques.
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains information on over 150,000 plant names (including synonyms) giving a description and habitat, plus a distribution map.
].
Properties
| Conservation Status | Least Concern |
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Perennial |
| Height | 0.50 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[
1309- Title
- The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
- Publication
-
- Author
- Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
- Publisher
- University of Wisconsin
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 0-333-32221-5
- Description
- An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The root is very commonly used as an aphrodisiac, pounded with flour and mixed with the side-dish[
466- Title
- Useful Plants of Nyasaland
- Publication
-
- Author
- Williamson J.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- The Government Printer, Zomba, Nyasaland.
- Year
- 1955
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Brief details of the uses of almost 500 species of plants.
]. The roots are also used as cure for nyangu, a symptom of which is dropping off of the eyelashes and poor sight[
466- Title
- Useful Plants of Nyasaland
- Publication
-
- Author
- Williamson J.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- The Government Printer, Zomba, Nyasaland.
- Year
- 1955
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Brief details of the uses of almost 500 species of plants.
].
The plant (part not specified) is used to treat stomach ache[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Other Uses
The woody roots are rich in saponins. They are used as a soap substitute for washing clothes[
466- Title
- Useful Plants of Nyasaland
- Publication
-
- Author
- Williamson J.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- The Government Printer, Zomba, Nyasaland.
- Year
- 1955
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Brief details of the uses of almost 500 species of plants.
,
1309- Title
- The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
- Publication
-
- Author
- Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
- Publisher
- University of Wisconsin
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 0-333-32221-5
- Description
- An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
