Longleaf Wurrus, Large leaf flemingia
Flemingia macrophylla

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A small shrub or climber. It grows 1.2-3.5 m high. The stems have ridges and are softly hairy. The leaves have 3 leaflets. These are oval or sword shaped and 3-15 cm long by 1.3-8 cm wide. They taper towards the tip and are rounded at the base. There are hairs mainly along the veins. The leaf stalk can be 2-10 cm long. The flowers are about 1 cm long and in dense clusters which are 2.5-7 cm long. The fruit are oblong pods 1.2-1.5 cm long by 7 mm wide. They are softly hairy. They are dotted with glands. The seeds are black and 3 mm wide.

It is used in some countries in medicine. There are about 35 Flemingia species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Papua New Guinea it is introduced and used as a shelter belt in tea. It grows from 60 m to 1,650 m altitude. In southern China it grows between 200-1,800 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, East Africa, Ghana, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam, West Africa

How it is used for food

The pods are eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves, pods, vegetable, seeds - flavouring

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Apa-apa, Bara-salpan, Batwasi, Beringan, Bhalia, Birbut, Bonokandulo, Caay dau ma, Dowdowla, False saffron, Hahapaan, Kamatteri, Khamin-ling, Korkattachedi, Lao, Lavglo, Ote garsul, Palan-byu, Phalan-phyu, Pokkepokan, Samnaskhat, Serengan jantan, Taw-shwe-war, Topmo la-to

Synonyms

Crotalaria macrophylla Willd.; Flemingia angustifolia Roxb.; Flemingia bhottea Buch.-Ham.; Flemingia capitata Buch.-Ham.; Flemingia congesta Roxb. ex Ait.; Moghamia macrophylla (Willd.) O. Kuntze; and others