Studies of the embryological characters indicate that Vigna adenantha is possibly better classified in the genus Phaseolus[].

Common Name:

General Information

Vigna adenantha is a perennial, herbaceous, climbing plant producing annual stems up to 7 metres long from a perennial, tuberous rootstock. The stems either creep along the ground or twine into other plants for support[, ].
The plant supplies edible seedpods, seeds and tuberous roots. These are generally viewed as emergency foods for use in times of need, though the plant is also sometimes cultivated as a food crop[]. With its large pink and white flowers, which turn yellow with age, the plant can be grown as an ornamental climber[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Probably originating in the Neotropics, but now a pantropical plant[].

Habitat

Humid or swampy locations, along the sea shore and rivers[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial Climber
Height	5.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropics and subtropics, it is found from around sea level to elevations of over 1,200 metres in the tropics[].
Requires a sunny position. Acid light soils favour its not very deep rooting system[].
The seed has a large cavity between the cotyledons which enables it to float, and the distribution pattern of the species indicates that seeds are sometimes dispersed by sea water[].
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

Young, immature, green pods[]. Eaten mainly as an emergency food in times of shortage[]. The oblong seedpod is 70 - 150mm long by 5 - 15mm wide, slightly curved, containing 9 - 15 seeds[].

Mature seeds - cooked[]. Eaten mainly as an emergency food in times of shortage[]. The dark reddish brown, kidney-shaped seeds are 5.5 - 7.5mm long by 4.5 - 6mm wide by 2.5 - 5mm thick[].

Tuberous roots - cooked and eaten[]. An occasional cultivated crop in parts of Africa, but viewed more as an emergency food for times of scarcity in India[].

Medicinal

A decoction of the whole plant is used as a medicine for gonorrhoea, and mixed with rice water to treat diabetes[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - needs scarification for uniform germination[].

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