Indigofera glandulosa

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

An erect herb. It can grow from seed each year or keep growing for a few years. It grows 75 cm high. The flowers are pink or red.

There are about 700 Indigofera species. Chemical composition (seeds) (after Church ): Water = 8.2%. Albuminoids = 31.9%. Carbohydrate (soluble) = 46.7%. Oil = 2.2%. Fibre = 7.8%. Ash = 3.2%. (after Paton & Dunlop): Protein = 36.12% (available = 29.9%. Carbohydrate (available) = 10.9%. Relative available energy = 167.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows on clay loam.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, India, Indonesia, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The flour is sticky so is mixed with other flours then baked. The seeds are eaten boiled. The leaves are boiled with pigeon pea seeds.

Edible parts

Seeds, leaves

How it is grown

The plants are harvested and threshed then the seeds are ground into flour.

Its other names

Local names

Advimente, Barbati, Baragadam, Barapatalu, Barapatam, Barbada, Barbath, Bargadan, Boomidapu, Divali, Metikasa, Ranmetha, Vekhariyo, Vekheariyo

Synonyms

Indigofera frumentacea Roxb. ex Wight. & Arn.;