Mucuna aimun
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A climbing shrub. The twining stems can be 4 m long. The twigs have a rusty coating. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaflets are 6.5-15 cm long by 4-9.5 cm wide. The seed pods can be covered with irritant hairs. The pods have wide wings. The pods are 18 cm long by 3 cm wide. The seeds are 20-25 mm by 18-27 mm.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It occurs at 2,750-2,900 m above sea level. In Papua New Guinea it occurs in the Western Highlands near Wabag.
Countries/locations it is found in
Papua New Guinea
How it is used for food
Caution: The seed pods can have irritant hairs. The seeds are cooked and eaten.
Edible parts
Seeds