Mysore thorn
Biancaea decapetala

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A woody climber. It has many prickles. The bark is dull red. The branches and leaves have hairs and prickles. The leaves are 20-30 cm long with 3-10 pairs of pinnae or leaflets. These have 8-12 pairs of leaflets. The pods are brown and 6-12 cm long by 3 cm wide. There are 6-9 seeds. These are oval and 11 mm long by 6 mm wide.

Also as Caesalpinaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In China it grows on mountain slopes and by rivers from sea level to 1,800 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andes, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kanja, Kapitagwilere, Karanj, Karauji, Maimak-ka-leng, Mlunguzi, Suk-yan-bo, Vuot-hum, Yan wang ci

Synonyms

Biancaea decapetela (Roth) O. Deg.; Biancaea scandens Tod.; Biancaea sepiaria (Roxb.) Tod.; Caesalpinia benguetensis Elmer; Caesalpinia ferox Hassk.; Caesalpinia horrida A. Rich.; Caesalpinia sepiaria Roxb.; and others