Sunhemp
A tropical plant. It prefers light to medium well drained soils. It needs an open sunny position. It is drought resistant but frost tender. In Nepal it grows to about 1300 m altitude. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Also known as:
Bumpo, Ghore sun, Janumu, Kork tong, Oohawaimaton, Pan-paiksan, Pikesan, San, Sana, Sanabu, Sanai, Sanal, Sann hemp, Sannai sunn, Sannappu, Saun, Senabina soppu, Shon, Shonpat, Sunn hemp, Tag, Tum-thang, Vihagiguni, Wuckoo nar
Edible Portion
- Leaves, Flowers, Pods
Where does Sunhemp grow?
Found in: Africa, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Eswatini, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Russia, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Thailand, United States, Vietnam, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Notes: There are about 550 Crotalaria species. They are mostly tropical. The plant is grown for its fibres. Chemical composition (g/100g of seed powder): Moisture = 10.2. Ash = 4.0. Ether extractives = 3.9. Nitrogen-free extract = 59.6. Protein (crude) (N x 6.25) = 30.1. Fibre (crude) = 8.7. Calcium (mg/100 g) = 20. Phosphorus (mg/100 g) = 371.0. Iron (mg/100g) = 28.9. Nacin (mg/100g) = 2.95. Ascorbic acid (mg/100 g) = 1.39. Total soluble carbohydrates and total reducing substances (27 deg. (+/-3 deg. C ): total water soluble carbohydrates = 14.9. Total benzoic acid soluble carbohydrates = 18.1. Total 5% TCA soluble carbohydrates = 26.7. Total reducing substances = 0.13. (100o C): total water soluble carbohydrates = 17.2. Total benzoic acid soluble carbohydrates = 23.8. Total 5% TCA soluble carbohydrates = 31.5. Total reducing substances = - . A new amino acid - strongly nihydrin positive - has also been found in the seeds.
Growing Sunhemp
Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed. Seed need treatment to break the hard seed coat before planting. Plants can also be grown from cuttings.
Edible Uses: The leaves have been recorded as being eaten. The flowers are pickled. They are also cooked with meat and fish.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaves/Pods | - | 30.1 (Nx6.25) | 28.9 (mg/100g) | - | 1.39 (mg/100g) | - | 10.2 |
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