Flemingia
Flemingia involucrata

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A small shrub. It grows 50 cm to 1 m high. It spreads 50 cm to 1 m across. It has a thick rootstock from which it can re-grow year after year. Some branches re-grow each year while others continue to grow. The young shoots are softly hairy. The leaves are divided into 3 leaflets. The leaflets are 5-8 cm long by 2-4 cm across. They are oval and pale green and pointed towards the tip. They are softly hairy on both surfaces. The dense clusters of flowers are 2-3 cm across. They are produced in the axils of the upper leaves near the ends of small branches. The flowers are 0.8 cm long and purple. They have distinct outer bracts which are sword shaped. They are brown and form a covering around the flowers. The fruit are pods which are 0.6 cm long. The seeds are black and 4.5 mm long.

There are about 35 Flemingia species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in open places often amongst rocks. Plants can die back and regrow in dry places. In Papua New Guinea it grows to 2,000 m altitude but mostly it is near sea-level. In southern China it grows in disturbed grassland between 500-1,000 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Roots

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed need to be treated to break the hard seed coat.

Its other names

Local names

Nandjirr, Topmo tongbao

Synonyms

Moghania involucrata (Wall. ex Benth.) O. Kuntze;