Common Name:

General Information

Mucuna gigantea is a rampant, woody climbing plant producing stems 8 - 15 metres or more long and up to 10cm in diameter[, , ].
The plant is sometimes gathered from the wild for its edible seeds and local medicinal uses.

Known Hazards

Mucuna species often possess irritant hairs on the seedpods and sometimes on the flowers and other parts. These hairs consist of 1-2 small basal cells and a large needle-like top cell. The top cell breaks off easily, piercing the skin and injecting chemical compounds that are present in the hairs. The proteolytic enzyme 'Mucunain' is said to be the active agent[].
The hairs can contaminate clothes or other objects, and remain active when dried, though they can be destroyed by heat[, , ]. Intense itching, with reddening of the skin and small papules or urticaria occur a few minutes after contact with the hairy parts of the plant. There is no serious danger, unless the hairs get into the eye, in which case, in extreme situations, they have caused blindness. To remove the hairs from the skin, adhesive tape and washing with water and soap are considered useful. Dermatitis can be treated with corticosteroid ointment. See a doctor immediately if hairs go into the eyes[].
These hairs are mentioned as being used in criminal poisoning in Malaysia[].
Because of the presence of toxic compounds in the plant, it seems advisable to eat the seed only after prolonged soaking and boiling[].

Botanical References

Range

Mainly coastal from east Africa through the Indian and Pacific Oceans to Australia and the Pacific Islands.

Habitat

Bushland, forest edges, riverine and coastal moist forests, coastal scrub, river banks; usually by water; often extending to the foreshore; usually at elevations from sea level to 300 metres, but is also found at elevations up to 1,800 metres inland[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Humming birds
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant mainly of tropical lowland areas, but is also found at elevations up to 1,800 metres in Africa.
Mucuna species generally grow best in a shady position in a humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil[].
Initial growth of the plant is rapid - seedlings may attain a height of more than 1 metre within 3 weeks[].
The seeds are dispersed by sea currents[].
All green plant parts, including the flowers, become black when bruised or dried[].
A very variable plant[].
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[].

Edible Uses

Seeds - cooked[, , ]. The boiled seeds are sometimes eaten as a pulse[]. Aboriginals in Australia used to heat the seeds on hot stones or sand, remove the peel, and grind them to flour, which was then mixed with water, wrapped in leaves and baked[].
Because of the presence of toxic compounds in the plant, it seems advisable to eat the seed only after prolonged soaking and boiling[].

Medicinal

A decoction of the root is taken to treat gonorrhoea and schistosomiasis[].

The bark is applied externally to treat rheumatic complaints[]. The powdered bark is mixed with dry ginger and used in rheumatic complaints by rubbing it over the affected parts[].

The powdered seed is used as a purgative[].

The seeds contain 1.7 - 2% L-dopa (levodopa; L-3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine), an amino acid which stimulates the formation of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain[]. Dopamine lessens the tremors experienced in Parkinson’s disease. However, opinions differ on the side effects and efficacy in the long run of L-dopa[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast-growing plant, it is useful for quickly producing a screen[]. Some caution is advised in this use due to the presence of irritant hairs on the seedpods[].

Other Uses

The irritant hairs on the outside of the pods are mixed with food to get rid of rats[].

Propagation

Seed - germinates quickly if the seed coat is scarified by making a small nick in it prior to sowing[].

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