Northern Coral Pea, Sarsaparilla vine
Vandasina retusa

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A vine or twining shrub or climber. The leaves are compound and alternate. They have 3 leaflets. The leaf stalk is 4-14 cm long. The leaflets are 3-14 cm long by 3-13 cm wide. There are hairs underneath. The leaflets are large and blunt. The midrib usually projects as a short point. The group of flowers can be at the end or in the axils of leaves. The flowers are purple or pink with a green base on the standard. The flowers are in long clusters in the axils of leaves. They are pea shaped and 1.5 cm long. The fruit is a pod. It is brown or black and 6-9 cm long by 1.3-2.5 cm wide. The pods have velvet white hairs. There are 8-10 seeds and they are brown or black. The seeds are 7-8 mm long. There is a pale green aril at the base.

There is only one Vandasina species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in rainforest and monsoon forest. It grows in coastal and inland areas in North Queensland in Australia. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 300 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The roots are roasted then pounded before being eaten.

Edible parts

Root

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. The seed can be put in hot water to break the seed coat before planting.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Caulina retusa (Benth.) F. Muell.; Derris emarginata Valeton; Dolichos obcordatus (Benth.) F. Muell.; Glycine retusa Sol. ex Benth.; Hardenbergia retusa Benth.; Kennedia retusa F. Muell.; Vandasia retusa (Benth.) Domin;