Perennial Indian hemp, Maria herrania
Abroma augusta

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

There is only one Abroma species. They grow in Asia. This one is used for making ropes and strong bags (bilums). It is used in medicine. The leaves have protective effect against diabetes. It has also been put in the family Sterculiaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It mostly grows in the highlands in the tropics. In North India it grows between 300-1,100 m above sea level. It does well in seasonally moist and dry climates. It is drought tolerant. It needs an average, well-drained soil. It needs an acid pH. It needs full sun. It suits hardiness zones 10-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Amazon, Asia, Australia, Brazil, China, Ecuador, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, SE Asia, Sikkim, South America, Thailand, Vietnam, Yap

How it is used for food

The leaves have been reported as being eaten in Chimbu in Papua New Guinea and also in Vietnam. (The roots are used as a medicine) The seeds are roasted and eaten. They are also used for oil. They are also fermented. The fruit pulp is eaten raw.

A minor wild leafy vegetable. The seeds are eaten raw by children.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable, fruit, seed, seeds - oil

How it is grown

It grows wild. It can be grown from seeds or cuttings of half ripe wood. Seeds germinate in 21-30 days at 24°C.

In Sikkim seeds are available October to January.

Its other names

Local names

Batthuc, Bon naga, Boguinca, Cacahuillo, Cacao de monte, Cacau-de-jacare, Cacau-jacare, Cay tai meo, Chinne, Chuit, Devil's cotton, Dieng-tyrkhum, Kumal, Kushi bakau, Kushiikam, Kushikan, Kushikiam, Mamua, Muc, Mway-ma-naing, Mway-say, Mway-seik-phay-pin, Nesa-paubim, Nga-be, Sanukapari, Sanu kapase, Sweet chuil, Teindum, Ulat kambal, Ulat-kam-bala, Ulot kombol

Synonyms

Abroma alata Blanco; Abroma angulata Lam.; Abroma angulata Poir. Abroma augustum (L.) L.f.; Abroma communis Blanco; Abroma denticulata Miq.; Abroma elongata Lam.; Abroma fastuosa R. Br.; Abroma javanica Miq.; Abroma mariae Mart.; Abroma mollis DC.; Abroma obliqua C. Presl.; Abroma sinuosa G. Nicholson; Abroma wheleri Retz.; Herrania mariae (Mart.) Decne ex Goudat; Theobroma angusta L. ; Theobroma mariae (Mart.) K. Schum.;