Physostigma mesoponticum

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A herb that keeps growing from year to year. It can be climbing or lie along the ground. It grows 1 m tall. It has a woody rootstock about 80 cm long. It usually flowers before the leaves appear. The leaflets are 3-9 cm long by 1-6 cm wide. They often have 2-3 lobes. There are hairs on both surfaces. The flowers are in groups at the ends of branches or in the axils of leaves. They are in groups 7-50 cm long. The flowers are purple and pink. The fruit is a pod 5-12 cm long by 6-10 mm wide. It is narrow and curved. There are 6-12 seeds. The pods have velvety hairs. The seeds are brown and 6-10 mm long by 4-6 mm wide.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in woodland and along rivers. It grows between 90-1,410 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Flowers

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ciluwe, Kawowo, Mulya-mfuma

Synonyms

Physistigma mesoponticum var. baumii Harms;