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Mucuna pruriens (Wall. ex Wight) Baker ex Burck var. utilis
| Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Synonyms: | Mucuna utilis, Stizolobium utile, Hypoestes cochinchinensis, Mucuna atrocarpa |
| Common Name: | Velvet Bean, Cow Itch, 黧豆 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber, Vine & Liana |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Bangladesh, India, Malaya, Thailand, Vietnam |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A perennial climber with trifoliate leaves |
|---|---|
| Stems | Stem has long and sparse spreading fine hairs. |
| Flowers | White inflorescence |
| Fruit | Young legume pods are green and linear, densely hairy, and swollen around the seeds. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | White |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | White |
| Foliar Type | Compound (Trifoliate) |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Individual Flower Shape | Papilionaceous / Pea-shaped |
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | White, Brown, Yellow / Golden, Black |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute |
Others
| Master ID | 34377 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 8790 |
| 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. |
