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Mucuna pruriens var. utilis

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Mucuna pruriens (Wall. ex Wight) Baker ex Burck var. utilis

Family Name: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
Synonyms: Mucuna utilis, Stizolobium utile, Hypoestes cochinchinensisMucuna atrocarpa
Common Name: Velvet Bean, Cow Itch, 黧豆

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Infraspecific Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Climber
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.
Species record last updated on: 22 September 2023.
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