Rhynchosia insignis subsp. insignis

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A sticky herb. It grows 14-90 cm tall. It has a large rootstock 8-35 cm long by 2 cm wide. It can often lie parallel to the ground. It has several stems branching near the base. The leaves have 1-3 leaflets. These are round or oval. They are 2-9 cm long. They are softly hairy on both surfaces. The flowers are in loose groups. They usually appear when the plant is almost without leaves. The flower standard is yellow with purple veins. The fruit are sickle shaped pods 2-3 cm long. They are greenish with heavy veins.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows between 1,100-1,875 m above sea level. It grows in grassland and woodland and often in rocky places.

Countries/locations it is found in

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

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Roots

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Munkoyo

Synonyms

Eriosema insigne O. Hoffm.; Eriosema randii Baker f. & Haydon; Rhynchosia subaphylla Baker f.;