Tropical kudzu
Pueraria phaseoloides

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A slender, hairy herb. It is a twining vine. It has fattened tuberous roots. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaflets are oval or triangular. The flowers are in pairs. They are purple and white. They occur on tall erect stalks. The fruit are long, flat, curved pods. There are about 16 seeds. There are 3 varieties recognised - javanica, phaseoloides, and subspicata. Possibly now Neustanthus

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in hilly areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Belize, Bhutan, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Caribbean, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Fiji, French Guiana, Ghana, Guianas, Guyana, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Liberia, Malaysia, Maldives, Marquesas, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Niue, Northeastern India, Pacific, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Samoa, SE Asia, Seychelles, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies

How it is used for food

The tuberous root is eaten. It is often eaten raw.

Edible parts

Root, tuber, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Alan susu, Dau-ma, Jermei-kyn-saw, Jermei-soh-gonsoh, Kachang-kachang, Kuzu-ingen, Pani alu, Riha thui, San day, Suloh, Tampong urat, Taw-pe, Tua-sian-pah

Synonyms

Dolichos phaseoloides Roxb.; Neustanthus phaseoloides Benth.; Pueraria javanica Benth.;