Tum-thang
Crotalaria tetragona
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A herb. It grows 2 m tall. The branches are 4 angled and have silky hairs. The leaves are simple and narrowly sword shaped. They are 10-20 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. They are hairy. There are 6-10 flowers in a group at the ends of branches or opposite the leaves. They are yellow. The pods are 4-5 cm long and have 10-20 seeds.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. In southern China it grows along trails between 500-1,600 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam
How it is used for food
The leaves are boiled and eaten. The flowers are cooked with meat. They are used in curries.
Edible parts
Buds, flowers, fruit, seeds
How it is grown
In Nagaland flower buds are available in August to November.
Its other names
Local names
Changoi, Chu-pin, Sucsac bon-canh, Tum-thang, Vogan