Indian Kudzu
Pueraria tuberosa

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A herb or shrub. It is a woody twiner or climber. It is hairy. It has long straight tuberous roots. These are like beads and 6-15 cm across and deep in the soil. It looses its leaves during the year. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaflets are large. They are 10-20 cm long and have silky hairs when young. The side leaflets have unequal sides. The flowers are pink. They are in long stalks. These can be 15-40 cm long. They appear when the plant is leafless. The petals are 1-1.8 cm across. The pods have 3-6 seeds.

Where it is found

A subtropical plant. Western Himalayas. It grows on the edges of fields and in wasteland. It grows in higher rainfall areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Himalayas, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim

How it is used for food

The tuberous roots are eaten. Young tender ones are eaten raw and older ones are boiled and eaten. They can also be used to extract starch. The leaves are eaten.

Edible parts

Roots, tubers, leaves

How it is grown

The tubers can be 20-30 cm across and 30-60 cm long. They can weigh 35 kg.

Its other names

Local names

Bankumra, Bharda, Bhuikanda, Bhuin kakharu, Bidda, Bilaikand, Birali panwa, Biralu, Bir kahada, Bisalu, Bohon, Chint lad, Darigummadi, Davankanda, Ghora-bel, Gholbaji, Ghorbel, Gummadi balli, Gumadigida, Kand, Khakarvel, Kyway-byu, Naelagummadi, Nepalese kudzu, Pani alu, Patal kohnda, Patal kumbhda. Phagvelo, Pithana, Shimia batraji, Shirvala, Siali, Sirala, Sural, Tirra, U-hmone-u, Urahi alu, Vidarikand

Synonyms

Hedysarum tuberosum Roxb. ex Willd.;