Ban bhata
Rhynchosia himalensis
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A trailing shrub or creeper. It is hairy. It grows over 3 m long. The leaves have stalks. The leaves have 3 leaflets which are also stalked. The side leaflets only have short stalks. They are oval. The flowers are yellow with purple veins. The occur in long stalks in the axils of leaves. The fruit is a pod. It is oblong and slightly curved. It is hairy. It has 2 seeds.
There are about 200 Rhynchosia species. They are tropical. Also as Papilionaceae.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. In Nepal it grows between 1000-2800 m altitude. It grows in open places. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, China, Himalayas, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, SE Asia, Tibet
How it is used for food
The young fruit are cooked as a vegetable.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed.