Dolichos kilimandscharicus

Harms ex Taub.

Bully beef plant, Veld lupin

Fabaceae Edible: Flowers, Leaves 32 iNaturalist observations

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Description

A herb. It can be erect or lie along the ground. It grows 25-120 cm high from a woody rootstock. It flowers when leaves are absent. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaflets are 3-14 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. The flowers can be single or in pairs in the axils of leaves.

Edible Uses

Flowers - cooked. They are often cooked with other leaves, such as Vigna phaseoloides, or with other flowers, such as those of Sphenostylis species. Potashes are usually added to the water in order to soften the flowers, and pounded groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea) are added.

Traditional Uses

The flowers are cooked usually with other leaves.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

A tropical plant. In Zimbabwe it grows between 700-2,100 m above sea level. It grows in open woodland. It grows in areas with a rainfall between 900-1,000 mm per year.

Where It Grows

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Southern Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Grows best in a sunny posiion in a rich, moist soil. 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.

Other Uses

The woody roots are rich in saponins. They are used as a soap substitute for washing clothes. Traps can be cut from the woody rootstock. An infusion of the roots is sprinkled on native pots before firing in order to prevent breakages.

Synonyms

Dolichos buchananii HarmsDolichos lupiniflorus N. E. Br.

Also Known As

Chilowe cha ntupa, Kiniamba, Ndupa, Nthupa, Tchizuzu, Tsulutsulu

References (7)

Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 19(Beibl. 47):32. 1894
Flora Zambesiaca. http://apps.kew.org/efloras
Fowler, D. G., 2007, Zambian Plants: Their Vernacular Names and Uses. Kew. p 36
Malaisse, F., 1997, Se nourrir en floret claire africaine. Approche ecologique et nutritionnelle. CTA., p 61 (subsp. kilimandscharicus var. argyrophyllus)
Peters, C. R., O'Brien, E. M., and Drummond, R.B., 1992, Edible Wild plants of Sub-saharan Africa. Kew. p 133

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