Psophocarpus palustris
Desv.
African winged bean
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Description
A bean. It is a herb that keeps growing from year to year. The leaflets are more more hairy underneath than Psophocarpus scandens. The pods are 2.5-5.5 cm long.
Edible Uses
The young pods and rhizomes are cooked and eaten. The ripe seeds are cooked. The leaves are also eaten.
Traditional Uses
The ripe seeds are eaten cooked. The young pods and rhizomes are cooked and eaten. The leaves are also eaten.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows in tropical places. It grows in forest, palm groves and along rivers.
Where It Grows
Africa, Angola, Asia, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, West Africa,
Cultivation
Species in this genus generally require a sunny position, growing best in a moist but well-drained, slightly acid loamy 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.
Propagation
Seed - requires pre-treatment. Pre-soaking for 12 - 24 hours in warm water should soften the hard seedcoat and allow the seed to swell. If it does not swell, then making a small nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) should allow the seed to take up water.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Navulu, Niamadi soso
References (20)
- Achigan-Dako, E, et al (Eds), 2009, Catalogue of Traditional Vegetables in Benin. International Foundation for Science.
- Ambasta S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 499
- Ann. Sci. Nat. (Paris) 9:420. 1826
- Burkill, I.H., 1966, A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Vol 2 (I-Z) p 1850
- Cobley, L.S. (rev. Steele, W.M.) 2nd Ed., 1976, An Introduction to the Botany of Tropical Crops. Longmans. p 105
Show all 20 references Hide references
- Dansi, A., et al, 2008, Traditional leafy vegetables and their use in the Benin Republic. Genet Resour Crop Evol (2008) 55:1239–1256
- Dansi, A., et al, 2009, Traditional leafy vegetables in Benin: folk nomenclature, species under threat and domestication. Acta Bot. Gallica 156(2), 183-199
- Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 110
- Fl. Seneg. tent. 1:222. 1832 (As Psophocarpus palmettorum)
- Grivetti, L. E., 1980, Agricultural development: present and potential role of edible wild plants. Part 2: Sub-Saharan Africa, Report to the Department of State Agency for International Development. p 24
- Grubben, G. J. H. and Denton, O. A. (eds), 2004, Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 2. Vegetables. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands. p 434
- Heyne, K., 1927, p 849
- Jardin, C., 1970, List of Foods Used In Africa, FAO Nutrition Information Document Series No 2.p 18, 96
- Lim, T. K., 2015, Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants. Volume 9, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs. Springer p 69
- Martin, F.W. & Ruberte, R.M., 1979, Edible Leaves of the Tropics. Antillian College Press, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. p 200
- Okigbo, B.N., Vegetables in Tropical Africa, in Opena, R.T. & Kyomo, M.L., 1990, Vegetable Research and development in SADCC countries. Asian Vegetable Research and development Centre. Taiwan. p 42
- Peters, C. R., O'Brien, E. M., and Drummond, R.B., 1992, Edible Wild plants of Sub-saharan Africa. Kew. p 136
- Purseglove, J.W., 1968, Tropical Crops Dicotyledons, Longmans. p 314
- Smith, P.M., 1979, Winged bean, in Simmonds, N.W., (ed), Crop Plant Evolution. Longmans. London. p 314 (As Psophocarpus palmettorum) Terra, G.J.A., 1973, Tropical Vegetables. Communication 54e Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, p 70
- Terra, G.J.A., 1973, Tropical Vegetables. Communication 54e Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, p 70 (As Psophocarpus longipedunculatus)
