Vigna membranacea

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A climbing bean herb. It can grow each year from seeds or keep growing for a few years. The leaves are compound. They have 3 leaflets and the leaflets have side lobes. The flowers are blue tinged with purple. The fruit is a narrow pod. There are at least 4 subspecies.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It usually grows on red, sandy clays. It can grow in arid places. In Ethiopia it grows between 100-2,400 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Burundi, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda

How it is used for food

The roots are eaten raw. The leaves are fried and eaten. They are also boiled and mashed with maize and beans. The unripe seeds are eaten.

Edible parts

Seeds, flowers, roots, leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Bog ajowom, Chame, Chesuwanja, Cheswancha, Ithookwe, Kelowo-kelowo, Labebegi, Lgisoiya, Mathorokwe, Shotademodoroy

Synonyms

Vigna caesia Chiov.;