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Macroptilium atropurpureum (DC.) Urb.
| Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Synonyms: | Phaseolus vestitus, Phaseolus affinis, Macroptilium atropurpureum var. atropurpureum, Phaseolus schiedeanus, Phaseolus dysophyllus, Phaseolus canescens, Macroptilium atropurpureum var. canescens, Phaseolus atropurpureus |
| Common Name: | Sitrato, Purple Bean Bush, Purple Bean, Atro, Conchito |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber, Creeper, Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 0.5 m to 5 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | USA (Texas), Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Coastal Forest, Disturbed Area / Open Ground, Desert / Semi-Desert), Shoreline (Sandy Beach) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Twining and trailing perennial, herbaceous leguminous vine, climbing up to 5m high, and creeping to 5m wide by stolons. Deep-rooted, with swollen tuberous taproot. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves trifoliately-compound, leaflets (and stems) covered with short dense white hairs, margins of terminal leaflet entire with or without single lobe on either side, lateral leaflets often lobed. |
| Flowers | Pea-like, blackish-red, produced in racemes, blooming initiated by onset of dry periods and shorter daylight. Plant does not bloom when day lengths are >16 hours. |
| Fruit | Explosive skinny cylindrical seedpods, 5-10cm long, pubescent, ripen from green to tawny brown, with 12-15 small light brown to black seeds within. |
| Habitat | Found amongst low open-crowned trees, or on coastal dunes, edges of mangroves, roadsides and disturbed areas. |
| Cultivation | Tolerant of wide range of soils, but does not withstand waterlogging and shady conditions. Able to grow in high aluminium and high manganese soils. Drought-tolerant, but produces smaller leaves or sheds them in response to dry periods. May be attacked by Aphis fabae (Black Bean Aphid), which can cover stems, undersides of leaves, flower buds and fruits. Control by spraying, or use natural predators like ladybirds. Propagate by seeds. |
| Etymology | Genus epithet 'Macroptilium' means 'large feather' in Greek, a probable reference to the plant's compound leaves. Species epithet 'atropurpureum' means 'very purple', describing the plant's very dark red, almost blackish flowers. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Coastal, Suitable for Rooftops, Flowerbed / Border, Beachfront / Shoreline |
| Thematic Landscaping | Naturalistic Garden, Wildflower Garden |
| Plant & Rootzone Preference or Tolerance Remarks | Tolerant of high aluminium & high manganese acid soils |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Abiotic (Self-Pollinated) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water, Little Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Drought Tolerant, Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Poor Infertile Soils, Saline Soils / Salt Spray, Acidic (low pH) Soils, Shallow Media |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Velvety / Furry / Tomentose, Hairy / Hirsute, Raised / Sunken Veins |
| Foliar Modification | Foliar Tendril |
| Foliar Type | Compound (Trifoliate) |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate, Spiral |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire, Pinnately Lobed / Pinnatifid |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Herbaceous, Runner / Stolon |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Tap Root, Fibrous Root) |
| Specialised Storage Organ(s) | Underground (Root Tuber, Swollen Taproot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Black, Purple, Red |
|---|---|
| Individual Flower Shape | Papilionaceous / Pea-shaped |
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
| Ovary Position | Superior / Hypogynous |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Legume / Pod |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29157 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3466 |
| 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. |