Rhynchosia suaveolens
(L.f.) DC.
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Wikimedia Commons - Desfontaines, René; Redouté, Henri Joseph; Redouté, Pierre Joseph
Description
A shrub. It has sticky hairs. The leaves are alternate with 3 leaflets. The leaflets are 8 cm long. They are oval and taper to the tip. The flowers are in groups of 2 in the axils of leaves. They are yellow. The fruit are pods with 2 seeds.
Edible Uses
Seeds are taken as food in boiled form, roasted form or in their natural state. The seedpods are 15mm long and 8mm wide, containing two small seeds.
Medicinal Uses
The plant is used medicinally. It has been shown to have antinociceptive, antiinflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-fertility and antipyretic effects , and also to reduce blood sugar levels and thus have a beneficial effect in the treatment of diabetes.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry deciduous forests.
Where It Grows
Asia, India, Sri Lanka,
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.
Other Uses
We have seen no specific entry for this species, but all members of this genus have at least some merit for use as a ground cover and in local soil conservation projects.
Production
In south India plants flower and fruit November to December.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Kattuthuvarai
References (2)
- Arinathan, V., et al, 2007, Wild edibles used by Palliyars of the western Ghats, Tamil Nadu. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. 6(1) pp 163-168
- Salvi, J. et al, 2016, A review: Underutilized wild edible plants as a potential source of alternative nutrition. International Journal of Botany Studies. Volume 1; Issue 4; May 2016; Page No. 32-36
