Taiwan kudzu
Pueraria montana
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A robust climbing bean. It has tuberous roots. The stems are 8 m long and woody at the base. There are yellow hairs. The leaves have leaflets and these have 3 lobes. The end leaflet is broadly oval and 7-15 cm long by 5-12 cm wide. The side leaflets are smaller and are oblique. The flowering stalks are 15-30 cm long with flowers in groups of 2 or 3 at each node. The flowers are purple. The pods are 4-14 cm long by 6-13 mm wide and flattened.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in mountain forests and open places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, China, India, Indochina, Korea, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Vietnam
How it is used for food
An extract of the root is used as a health tonic. Starch is extracted from the root.
It is sold in local markets.
Edible parts
Root
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Dau-ma nui, Ga ma mu, Ke bie, Mei bie, Qi guo, San-day, Thing-ba