Centrosema pubescens
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A vine or creeper. The vine is less than 2 cm across. The middle leaflet is larger than the side leaflets. The middle leaflet is 3.5-8.5 cm long by 1.5-4 cm wide. The side leaflets are 2-6.5 cm long by 1.2-3 cm wide. The flowers are in a condensed group. The stalks are 7-8 cm long. The flowers are 3-3.5 cm across and purple. The fruit are flattened pods 12-16 cm long by 0.5-0.6 cm wide. The edges are thickened and it tapers to a point. There are about 20 seeds in each fruit. The seeds are 4-5 mm across.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. In tropical Australia it grows from sea level to 800 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, Australia, Benin, Fiji, Ghana, Malesia, Mariana Islands, Pacific, South America, West Africa
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Seeds, flowers