Edible kudzu
Pueraria edulis

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A creeping bean herb that keeps growing from year to year. It has fleshy tuberous roots. The young branches are hairy. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The end one is diamond shaped and has 3 lobes. The side 2 leaflets are oblique. They are 8-15 cm long by 6-10 cm wide. The flowers are purple-red. They are 1.5 cm long. The pods are narrow and 6 cm long.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In China it grows in forests between 1,000-3,200 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Myanmar, SE Asia, Taiwan

How it is used for food

Starch is made from the enlarged fleshy root and used to make noodles.

It is a cultivated plant. It is sold in local markets in China.

Edible parts

Roots, tubers

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chegu, Ge gen, Qieneng, Shi yong ge teng

Synonyms

Pueraria bicalcarata Gagnep.; Pueraria quadristipellata W. W. Sm.;