Where does Mucuna grow?

Velvet bean plants (Mucuna pruriens) are tropical legumes that are native to southern China and eastern India. The plants have spread throughout much of Asia and are often cultivated around the world, especially in Australia and the southern United States.

What is Mucuna nut?

Mucuna is a genus of around 100 accepted species of climbing lianas (vines) and shrubs of the family Fabaceae: tribe Phaseoleae, typically found in tropical forests. Like other legumes, Mucuna plants bear pods. They are generally bat-pollinated and produce seeds that are buoyant sea-beans.

What do hamburger sea beans grow into?

After pollination, the ovary of each flower develops into a legume pod containing several large seeds resembling miniature hamburgers. They have a hard, thick, woody seed coat which makes them impervious to water. Internal air cavities also make them buoyant in water.

Where does the Mucuna sloanei sea bean come from?

The Mucuna sloanei is the most common of all the sea beans. The seeds have a very hard seed wall that protects them on their journeys overseas. The seeds originate in South America, but grow nowadays also in Africa, Asia and islands in the Pacific Ocean.

How big does a Mucuna sloanei plant get?

Mucuna sloanei is a climbing shrub with twining stems that can be 6 – 8 metres long [ 299

What’s the best way to plant Mucuna pruriens seeds?

Plant the seeds about an inch or so from your trellis, roughly 3/4-inch under the soil, and water the area liberally until the ground is thoroughly soaked. Leave at least 6 inches between each plant. Keep your Mucuna Pruriens plants well-watered, watering at least every other day.

What are the male and female seeds of Mucuna?

A ccording to the “Flora of Guatemala” by P.C. Standley and J.A. Steyermark ( Fieldiana Vol. 24, 1946), “male” and “female” seeds from another rain forest liana Mucuna argyrophylla are carried by natives to prevent hemorrhoids. Those that sink in water are called “hembras” (female) and those that float are “macho” (male).