Bush potato, Pencil yam, Maloga bean
Vigna lanceolata
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A climbing plant. There is a tuber under the ground from which the shoots re-grow each year. The stems can have a few hairs. The leaves are compound and alternate. The leaf stalks are 2-6 mm long. The leaflets are 2-10 cm long and 1-3 cm wide. They can have hairs. The midrib on the upper side is often silver coloured. The flowers are in a group in the axils of leaves. The flowers are yellow or pale purple. The standard is 6-10 mm long. The fruit is a pod. It is green with dark mottles. The pod is 2-5 cm long and 3-6 mm wide. There are 3-8 seeds.
There are about 150 Vigna species. They are mostly in the tropics.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in monsoon forest and woodland. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 840 m altitude. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The tuber is peeled, cooked and eaten.
Edible parts
Root, pods
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Arlatyey, Barddjubarr, Limbuk, Gingin, Maloga Vigna, Mili