Status:
valid
Authors:
(Jacq.) DC.
Source:
ildis
Year:
Citation Micro:
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000166080
Common Names
- velvet bean
- katara bean
- cowhage
Description
Mucuna urens (also called Velvet bean, among many other common names) is a vine that grows up to 15 meters long, with a trunk diameter of up to 5 cm. It is native to India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, and is found in dry deciduous forests and scrublands.
Uses & Benefits
Mucuna urens is used as an ornamental plant and as a source of food for livestock. It is also used in traditional medicine for treating fever and skin diseases.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Mucuna urens has white or pink flowers that are about 1 inch in diameter. The flowers have five petals and a long, slender corolla tube. The seeds are small, black, and oval-shaped with a smooth surface. The seedlings are small and have two leaves that are oval-shaped and pointed at the tip.
Cultivation and Propagation
Mucuna urens is propagated by seed. The seeds should be sown in a well-drained, sandy soil and lightly covered with soil. The seedlings should be kept moist and in a warm, sunny location. The plants can be transplanted when they are large enough to handle.
Where to Find Mucuna urens
Mucuna urens is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. It can be found in open woodlands, grasslands, and disturbed areas.
Mucuna urens FAQ
What is the scientific name of Mucuna urens?
Mucuna urens
What is the common name of Mucuna urens?
Uren's Velvet Bean
What is the natural habitat of Mucuna urens?
Tropical regions of Central and South America
Species in the Mucuna genus
Mucuna argyrophylla,
Mucuna holtonii,
Mucuna rostrata,
Mucuna urens,
Mucuna elliptica,
Mucuna mitis,
Mucuna mollis,
Mucuna mutisiana,
Mucuna coriacea,
Mucuna ferox,
Mucuna flagellipes,
Mucuna gigantea,
Mucuna glabrialata,
Mucuna melanocarpa,
Mucuna poggei,
Mucuna pesa,
Mucuna pruriens,
Mucuna sloanei,
Mucuna stans,
Mucuna urens,
Mucuna killipiana,
Mucuna sempervirens,
Mucuna birdwoodiana,
Mucuna macrocarpa,
Mucuna diabolica,
Mucuna reptans,
Mucuna bodinieri,
Mucuna membranacea,
Mucuna pacifica,
Mucuna novoguineensis,
Mucuna platyphylla,
Mucuna pallida,
Mucuna warburgii,
Mucuna humblotii,
Mucuna manongarivensis,
Mucuna paniculata,
Mucuna championii,
Mucuna interrupta,
Mucuna macrobotrys,
Mucuna hainanensis,
Mucuna lamellata,
Mucuna cyclocarpa,
Mucuna calophylla,
Mucuna bracteata,
Mucuna gracilipes,
Mucuna monosperma,
Mucuna oligoplax,
Mucuna revoluta,
Mucuna stenoplax,
Mucuna thailandica,
Species in the Fabaceae family