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