Velvet bean
It is a tropical plant. It does best in a rich, moist, well-drained soil. It needs a protected, sunny position. It is damaged by drought and frost. It grows from sea level to 900 m above sea level. In Nepal it grows at 1,300 m above sea level. They need a temperature above 8°C. It can grow in arid places. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Also known as:
Alkusa, Baidanka, Bander kokua, Benguk, Buco-nhoale, Buffalo bean, Chitedze, Cosse, Cowage velvetbean, Cowhage, Cowitch, Etka, Fogarate, Ganhaca, Ganhoma, Gratey, Gwin-nge, Hko-mak-awa, Kauso, Kavaskuri, Kewanch, Khajol, Khajkuari, Khaj-kuilee, Khajkuili, Khnhe, Khwele-ya, Lekwanya, Macmeo, M'ple, Mafora, Mamui, Man-sombrina, Manfora, Mege, Mei lan, Mespe, Metafum, Nayuma, Ne qi a yi, Nescafe, Nhahenfa, Nhandebague, Nhanhanaco, Nhanhefa, To-ma-awn, Um-hae, Uri:ri
Synonyms
- Carpopogon pruriens (L.) Roxb.
- Dolichos pruriens L.
- Mucuna aterrima (Piper & Tracy) Merr.
- Mucuna axillaris Baker
- Mucuna bernieriana Baill.
- Mucuna cochinchinensis (Lour.) A. Chev.
- Mucuna esquirolii A. Leveille
- Mucuna minima Haines
- Mucuna nivea (Roxb.) DC.
- Mucuna prurita (L.) Hook.
- Mucuna prurita Hook.
- Stizolobium pruritum (Wight) Piper
- Stizolobium pruriens (L.) Medic
Edible Portion
- Seeds, Young pods, Leaves, Flowers, Vegetable, Caution
Where does Velvet bean grow?
Found in: Africa, Angola, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, Bhutan, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central America, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, El Salvador, Equatorial-Guinea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Laos, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Martinique, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Seychelles, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, United States, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Notes: There are about 100 Mucuna species. They grow in tropical places. Chemical composition (seeds - dry weight basis): Moisture g/100g) = 7.29. Ash = 3.87. Fat (ether extractive) = 8.96. Protein (crude) (N x 6.25) = 29.32. Ether extractives =9.0. Nitrogen free extract = 53.7. Fibre (crude) = 4.1. Total ash = 3.9. Calcium (mg/100g) = 218. Phosphorus (mg/100g) = 159. Iron (mg/100g) = 13.52. Niacin (mg/100g) = 3.64. Ascorbic acid (mg/100g) = 4.78. Amino acids: Histidine = 2.8. Lysine = 1.7. Methionine = 0.3. Cysteine = - . Phenylalanine = 1.3. Tyrosine = 0.63. Phenylalanine = 1.93. Isoleucine = 7.5. Valine = 2.9. Threonine = 1.3. T.p. = 1.3. Mucuna pruriens seeds contain L-dopa, the compound used in treatment of Parkinson's disease.
Status: It is sold in local markets.
Growing Velvet bean
Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. The seed need treatment to assist them to germinate.
Edible Uses: The pods are burnt over a fire to remove the prickles then the beans are soaked until they sprout and then washed and boiled or pounded. The young leaves are cooked as a vegetable. The flowers are eaten as a potherb. The ripe seeds are roasted and eaten. Caution: The seeds need special preparation.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seeds | - | 29.32 | - | - | 4.78 | - | 7.29 |
Velvet bean Photos
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