Some taxonomists do not consider Tylosema to be a distinct genus, but include it in Bauhinia, in which case this species would be Bauhinia fassoglensis[].
The name of this species is spelt Tylosema fassoglensis in some treatments[].

Common Name:

General Information

Tylosema fassoglense is a trailing or climbing, perennial plant with stems that sometimes become woody below. The stems arise from a large underground tuber, they can be up to 6 metres long, scrambling over other vegetation and attaching themselves by means of hairy tendrils[].
A multipurpose plant providing food, medicines and various materials for the local population. It is commonly harvested from the wild, especially for its edible seeds, which are widely appreciated[]. It is sometimes cultivated as a source of the pesticide rotenone, and is also grown as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

The plant contains rotenone and has been used traditionally as a fish poison[] - the rotenone kills or stuns the fish making them easy to catch, but the fish remain perfectly edible for mammals. Rotenone is classified by the World Health Organization as moderately hazardous. It is mildly toxic to humans and other mammals, but extremely toxic to many insects (hence its use as an insecticide) and aquatic life, including fish. This higher toxicity in fish and insects is because the lipophilic rotenone is easily taken up through the gills or trachea, but not as easily through the skin or the gastrointestinal tract. The lowest lethal dose for a child is 143 mg/kg, but human deaths from rotenone poisoning are rare because its irritating action causes vomiting. Deliberate ingestion of rotenone, however, can be fatal.
The compound decomposes when exposed to sunlight and usually has an activity of six days in the environment.

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, eastern DR Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, S. Africa

Habitat

Grasslands, wooded grasslands, woodlands and forest edges at medium elevations up to 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial Climber
Height	3.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in sunny positions and dappled shade. In the wild, the plant grows well on poor, sandy soils, but is also found on rocky or clay soils[]. Prefers a well-drained soil[]. It is moderately tolerant to flooding and drought[].
A very fast growing plant, the shoots can grow up to 5cm per day[].
The plant regenerates very quickly from its tuberous rootstock if it is cut back by fire[].
Unlike many legumes, this species does not form root nodules and so relies on soil nitrogen[].

Edible Uses

Seeds - raw or cooked[]. They can be boiled or roasted in a pan, then a little salt added before being eaten[]. Traditionally, they are placed in hot ashes for 3 - 4 minutes to bake and are then eaten as a snack[]. The seeds contain more than 40% protein and more than 30% fats[].

The roasted seeds are used as a coffee substitute[].

Seedpods - eaten raw when young, but cooked when older[].

The large tuber is crushed and pounded to make a fine meal, then used to make porridge[]. Fresh tuber can weigh up to 78 kg[].

The sap obtained from the cut stems can be drunk[].

The tubers are sometimes used as a source of water in arid climates[]. During the rainy season the water content of the root can be as high as 86%[].

Medicinal

A root decoction is used as a remedy for various gastro-intestinal problems and diarrhoea[, ]. The decoction is also used as a treatment against anaemia, fever and pneumonia, and to heal the uterus after childbirth[].
A decoction of the roots and flowers is drunk to treat impotence[].

The pulverized tuber is taken for the treatment of venereal diseases[].

The leaf sap is applied to treat inflammations of the middle ear[].

Infusions of powdered flowers are drunk as a treatment against jaundice and hypertension[].

Children are encouraged to eat the seedpods, because these are thought to be good for the stomach[].

Other Uses

The plant is a source of rotenone, which is used as an insecticide[].

A fibre obtained from the stems is used to make cloth[].
Both the young stems and the fibres obtained from the stems are used to make ropes and plaited items[].

A clear, light-coloured gum is obtained from the trunk[]. A somewhat questionable report - it refers to this species as arboreal but all other reports say that it is a perennial climber with stems that can become more or less woody[].

A brown dye can be obtained from the roots[].

The seeds are hardened over a fire then used as beads, being strung into necklaces and bracelets[].

Propagation

Seed -

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