Common Name:

General Information

Mucuna mollissima is a vigorous climbing shrub[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a dye.

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[].

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - Indonesia, New Guinea to the Solomon Islands.

Habitat

Secondary forests, old gardens, and sago swamps, at elevations up to 800 metres, exceptionally to 1,650 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	0.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Mucuna species generally grow best in a shady position in a humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The stem is used for dyeing cotton blue[]. A black can be obtained when the stem is used in a mixture with Tephrosia purpurea[].

Propagation

Seed -

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