Indian pea
Eriosema ellipticum
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
An erect shrub. It has many branches. It can grow 1-3 m tall. The branches are black. Young parts can have a rusty covering of hairs. There is usually one leaflet but there can be three. They are silver or grey underneath. They are 3-9 cm long by 1-4 cm wide. There are hairs underneath. The flower clusters are at the ends of branches. The standard is yellow and the keel is a paler yellow. The fruit are pods 2-3 cm long by 1 cm wide. They have a dense covering or golden or grey hairs. The seeds are black and shiny. They are 6-8 mm long by 4-5 mm wide and 3 mm thick.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Seeds
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Cirina-ndolo, Kalalila, Ndodzi