Rhynchosia rufescens

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A creeping or climbing shrub. The stems are zigzag and hairy. The leaves have 3 leaflets along the stalk. The end leaflet is oval and 3-5 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. Side leaflets are smaller and oblique. They are hairy. The flower stalks are 2-4 cm long with 2-6 flowers. The flowers are 1 cm across. They are purple to yellow. The pods are round and inflated. There is one black seed. It is 4 mm long by 3 mm wide.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In southern China it grows in valleys between 300-700 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, SE Asia, Sri Lanka

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kattuthuvarai

Synonyms

Cyanospermum javanicum Miq.; Cylista suaveolens Graham; Flemingia rothiana DC.; Glycine pondicheriensis Spreng.; Gylcine rufescens Willd.; Hallia trifoliata Roth.; Lespedeza indica Spreng.;