Horse Gram, Madras gram
Macrotyloma uniflorum

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A climbing or twining herb. The young growth has white hairs. The stems are hairy. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaves are 3.5 cm long. The leaflets are 1-2.5 cm long by 0.7-3 cm wide. They are broadly oval. They are thin textured and with a rounded tip. The flowers are about 0.8 cm across. They are greenish-yellow. There are 1-5 flowers in a cluster in the axils of leaves. The fruit is a pod 3-5.5 cm long by 0.4-0.8 cm wide. They are slightly hairy and dark brown when ripe.

There are about 24 Macrotyloma species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in northern Australia. In tropical Queensland it grows between 500-760 m altitude. It needs freely drained soil. It needs a temperature of 20-30°C. It cannot tolerate frost. It is drought resistant and can grow in areas with a rainfall of 900 mm per year. It suits arid areas. It needs a pH 5-7.5. It can grow in poor soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Central Africa, China, Congo DR, East Africa, Ethiopia, Fiji, Guinea, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kenya, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Philippines, Rwanda, SE Asia, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Taiwan, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The seeds are parched then boiled, fried or used in curries and soups. The seeds also yield an edible oil. The flour can be processed into sweetmeats. The fleshy root can be roasted and eaten. The pods are cooked and eaten.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

Edible parts

Root, seeds, fruit, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seed or cuttings. The seeds are sown 1-2.5 cm deep.

Its other names

Local names

Gahatko dal, Hurali, Kalathi, Kollu, Kulaththa, Kulit, Kulith, Kulthi, Kurthi, Kurtikalai, Muthera, Muthiva, Ulavalu

Synonyms

Dolichos benadirianus Chiov.; Dolichos biflorus auct. non L.; Dolichos uniflorus Lamk.;