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Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.
| Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Common Name: | Winged Bean, Kachang Botor, Winged Pea, Goa Bean, Manila Bean, Asparagus Pea, Prince's Pea, Princess Pea, Dambala, Four Angled Bean, 四角豆 |
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber, Vine & Liana |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Annual |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 3 m to 7 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Uncertain, but some believe it may be East Africa, Papua New Guinea or India |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Agricultural Land) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herbaceous perennial. A climber that grows 3 - 4 m in height. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves green and trifoliate (compound leaves each consisting of 3 leaflets). Leaflets large (8 – 15 cm long, 8 - 15 cm wide at the broadest point) and ovate (lateral leaflets) or deltoid (terminal leaflet). |
| Flowers | Pea-like flowers classified as papilionaceous are usually light blue, but occasionally white (2.5 - 3.5 cm wide). |
| Fruit | Fruits are elongated pods (15 - 30 cm long, 3 cm wide) and square or rectangular in cross-section. Frilly or sometimes smooth wings protrude along the length of the pod at each corner. At maturity, pods break open to release 5 - 21 approximately round, smooth seeds. |
| Habitat | Cultivated in tropical environments at altitudes from 0 - 2000 m. |
| Cultivation | Plant grows well in hot, humid environments with high rainfall. Sensitive to frost. Tolerates various types of soils, but does not grow well in soils that are waterlogged. Allow 50 cm of space between plants. Although it receives nutrients through its symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, you can fertilize with manure to maximize growth. Stake the plant or use a trellis to maximize fruit production. Requires a photoperiod (duration of daylength) of less than 12 hours to flower. Growth is initially slow when young (0 - 6 weeks), so weed carefully during this growth stage. Begin harvesting the fruits 10-12 weeks after planting. This species is susceptible to false rust, dark leaf-spot, root knot nematodes and various insects pests (eg., Maruca testulalis, Mylabris afzelli, Mylabris pustulata, Heliothis armigera and Icerya purchasi). |
| Etymology | The genus name of "Psophocarpus" means noisy fruit. Some plants in this genus have pods that make a popping noise when they dehisce and release their seeds. The "tetra" part of the species epithet "tetragonolobus"; means four and refers to the four sides of the fruit. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits, Edible Leaves Food (Fruit & Vegetable) Others: Ethnobotanical uses: This species is cultivated in many places within the tropics, from India to New Guinea. Nearly all parts of the plant are edible (eg., roots, leaves, fruits, seeds, flowers). Pods typically eaten when immature (~ 3 cm long). In Myanmar, the roots are consumed raw or boiled. In Papua New Guinea, young leaves and flowers are consumed as part of salads. Flowers are also used to color food products, like rice and pastries. The leaves are rich in vitamins A and C, calcium and iron. Seeds are rich in protein (35%), oil (18%), calcium and iron. They can be used to make flour, oil, milk, a coffee-like drink or tofu. The various parts of the plant are nutritious food for livestock. It is also grown for short periods of time and then plowed into the soil to enrich the soil with organic matter and nutrients like nitrogen. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola |
|---|---|
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Caterpillar Food Plant |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Dry Soils / Drought, Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Pest(s) | Chewing Insects |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
| Propagation Method Remarks | Propagate by seed. Soak seeds or nick their surface before planting to speed germination. Apply fungicide to the seeds before planting (eg., 3 g thiram per 100 g seed). |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Modification | Foliar Tendril |
| Foliar Type | Compound (Trifoliate) |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Deltoid) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire - Wavy / Undulate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Climbing Tendril |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground |
| Root Symbiosis | Bacterial Nodulation |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White, Blue |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Individual Flower Shape | Papilionaceous / Pea-shaped |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Opening Time | Daytime |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Rough |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Brown |
| Mature Seed Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Moderate (6-10), Several (11-20), Numerous (>20) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 16627 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3335 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |