Macroptilium gibbosifolium
(Ortega) A.Delgado
Fabaceae
Macroptilium heterophyllum (Willd.) Marechal & Baudet
Phaseolus bilobatus Engelm.
Phaseolus fraternus Piper
Phaseolus gibbosifolius Ortega
Phaseolus heterophyllus Willd.
Phaseolus macropoides A.Gray
Phaseolus macropus Benth.
Phaseolus micranthus M.Martens & Galeotti
Phaseolus parviflorus Schltdl.
Phaseolus rotundifolius A.Gray
Phaseolus seleri Harms
Common Name:
General Information
Macroptilium gibbosifolium is a low-growing, herbaceous perennial climbing plant, growing from a fleshy, turnip-shaped root 15 - 35mm in diameter. The twining stem sprawls over the ground, climbing into other plants for support[
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
Range
S. America - Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru; C. America - Honduras and Guatemala, north through Mexico to Arizona, New Mexico, Texas.
Habitat
Open grassland,; at elevations from 1,500 - 2,200 metres[
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
].
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Habit | Perennial Climber |
| Height | 0.30 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Not known
Edible Uses
Roots - raw[
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have ripened and dried the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
