Vigna praecox

Verdc.

Fabaceae Edible: Roots

gbif· cc-by

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

gbif· cc-by

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

gbif· cc-by

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Description

A climbing bean. It grows 3 m long. Young stems have a few flattened hairs. The leaves have 3 leaflets. It flowers in the dry season when the leaves have fallen off. They are in tight clusters. The pods are narrow and 6-10 cm long by 5.5-6.5 mm wide. There are 4-7 seeds. These are reddish-brown with black mottles.

Edible Uses

The roots are boiled or roasted and eaten.

Traditional Uses

The roots are boiled or roasted and eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a tropical plant.

Where It Grows

Africa, East Africa, Kenya,

Also Known As

Ngapanga

References (2)

Ichikawa, M., 1980, The Utilization of Wild Food Plants by the Suiei Dorobo in Northern Kenya. J. Anthrop. Soc. Nippon. 88(1): 25-48
Mutie, F. G., 2020, Conservation of Wild Food Plants and Their Potential for Combatting Food Insecurity in Kenya as Exemplified by the Drylands of Kitui County. Plants 2020, 9, 1017