Blue bean shrub, Blue sausage fruit
Decaisnea fargesii

Family: Lardizabalaceae

What it is like

An upright deciduous shrub. It grows 3-6 m high and spreads 6 m wide. The leaves are 75 cm long. They are divided into leaflets along the stalk. There are up to 25 leaflets. The flowers are lime-green and bell shaped. They hang in long stalks. The fruit are pea pod shaped. The seeds are black and surrounded by white pulp.

There are (1) 2 Decaisnea species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It needs a moist, well-drained location. It needs a protected, sunny position. It grows in hardiness zones 5-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Britain, Canada, China (country/location of origin), Europe, Himalayas, North America, Slovenia, USA

How it is used for food

The white pulp of the ripe fruit is eaten.

The fruit is popular. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Dekajzneja, Maoershi, Maoshigua, Wu-yueh-kua-t'eng, Yexiongjiao

Synonyms

Probably a synonym of Decaisnea insignis; Holboellia fargesii Reaub.