Singapore Government Logo

A Singapore Government Agency Website

Calopogonium mucunoides

Back

Calopogonium mucunoides Desv.

Family Name: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
Synonyms: Calopogonium brachycarpum Hemsl., Calopogonium orthocarpum Urb.
Common Name: Calopo, Calapo, Wild Ground Nut

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Climber, Creeper
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic

Biogeography

Native Distribution Tropical America
Native Habitat Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Non-native (Spontaneous (Naturalised))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Perennial herb with a creeping, trailing, or climbing growth habit.
Foliage Compound, trifoliate leaves are round to ovate with entire leaf margin.
Flowers Blue or purple, pea-like flowers.
Fruit Linear pods covered in long, soft reddish brown hairs.
Ethnobotanical Uses Agriculture - Forestry: Used as a cover crop in agricultural fields to stabilize and enrich the soil, as well as prevent weeds from growing.
Others: Used as forage for cattle in tropical Asia and Africa during the dry season when more palatable species are scarce.

Landscaping Features

Landscape Uses Groundcover

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Lots of Water

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Velvety / Furry / Tomentose
Foliar Type Compound (Trifoliate)
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Elliptical)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip Rounded
Foliar Base Rounded / Obtuse
Typical Foliar Area Mesophyll ( 45cm2 - 182.25 cm2 )
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s) Blue, Purple
Flower Texture(s) Smooth
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Terminal
Flower Symmetry Bilateral
Individual Flower Shape Papilionaceous / Pea-shaped
Inflorescence Type Raceme

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Green - Light Green
Mature Fruit Texture(s) Velvety / Furry / Tomentose
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type
Mature Seed Colour(s) Yellow / Golden, [Remarks] (Reddish Brown)
Mature Seed Texture(s) Smooth
Seed Description Flattened and approximately square (2-3 mm long).
Seed Quantity Per Fruit Few (1-5), Moderate (6-10)
Plant Sexuality (non-Angiosperm) Monoecious

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 31346
Species ID 5743
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 10 August 2022.
Share