Bird's eye, Indian liquorice

It is a tropical plant. It will grow on most soils but often occurs in sandy positions. It suits areas with a high rainfall and does best in sunny positions. It is damaged by drought and frost. They are widely distributed in areas of shrub throughout the Philippines. In Papua New Guinea it grows near mangroves. In Papua New Guinea they grow up to 660 m altitude. It Africa it grows up to 1,350 m above sea level. It needs a temperature above 16°C. It can grow in arid places.

Also known as:

Akarunga, Chanothi, Chek-awn, Chuselok, Crab’s Eye vine, Ghuguchi, Gidee Gidee, Gomchi, Guluganji, Gunchi, Gunj, Gunja, Gundu-mani, Gunja, Gurunginia, Jequirity Bean, Kansasaga, Kelimiefitra, Kulales halom tano, Kunch, Kunni, Masokoaky, Matamoso, Ngenguba, Ojos de cangrejo, Peronias, Prayerbead, Rati, Ratti, Rosary Pea, Tanuve, Wild licorice, Yerra gurija, Ywe, Ywe-nge, Ywe-nwe

Synonyms

Glycine abrus L.

Edible Portion

Seeds (POISONOUS) , Roots, Leaves

Where does Bird's eye grow?

Found in: Africa, American Samoa, Andamans, Angola, Asia, Australia, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Chad, China, Chuuk, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, East Timor, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, FSM, Ghana, Grenada, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Laos, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Marianas, Marquesas, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rotuma, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Southern Africa, South America, St Lucia, Swaziland, Sudan, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Torres Strait, Turks & Caicos, Uganda, United States, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Notes: There are about 26 Abrus species. The seeds are very poisonous. The roots, leaves and seeds have been used medicinally. It can become an invasive plant. The roots and leaves contain glycrrhizine that is in liquorice.

Status: Not known to be used as food in Papua New Guinea.A very minor food plant.

Growing Bird's eye, Indian liquorice

Cultivation: It is grown from seed. The seed need to be treated to break the dormancy. Putting them in boiling water can do this. Plants can also be grown from cuttings.

Edible Uses: CAUTION Seeds are very poisonous. They contain a poison called abrin. If chewed they can cause blindness and death. Roots are reported to be eaten in India. They are boiled and eaten in the Andaman Islands. They are a substitute for liquorice. The seeds have been recorded as eaten in Egypt and India after very long cooking. The leaves have been recorded as being used to make tea drinks in Australia. The very young leaves are cooked and eaten in Nepal when other food is scarce. The dry leaves are chewed with the leaves used with betel nut. The pods are recorded as roasted and eaten in the Andaman Islands.

Production: Plants flower in January to April in the southern hemisphere. The fruit develops from December to August. The young leaves are picked off.

Nutrition Info

per 100g edible portion

Edible Part	Energy (kcal)	Protein (g)	Iron (mg)	Vitamin A (ug)	Vitamin c (mg)	Zinc (mg)	% Water
Seeds boiled	-	-	-	-	-	-
Root	-	-	-	-	-	-
Leaves - tea	-	-	-	-	-	-
Leaves	62	5.6	-	-	-	-	79

Bird's eye, Indian liquorice Photos

Bird"s eye, Indian liquorice

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