trefle.io · Taken Dec 5, 2022 by Sharath Kathare (cc-by-sa)
Fabaceae
Cow-itch
Mucuna pruriens
Also known as Negretia pruriens, Stizolobium pruritum, Mucuna, Hornera pruriens
Tropical Plants · Edibles & Herbs · Native Plants · Velvet Bean · Tropical Vine · Climbing Plant · Medicinal · Nitrogen Fixer · Legume · Itchy Pods · Cover Crop · Ayurvedic · Tropical
Mucuna pruriens, or velvet bean, is a vigorous tropical climbing vine best grown outdoors in warm climates with a sturdy trellis or support structure. It thrives in average, well-drained soil with regular watering and benefits from full sun to partial shade. Be aware that the seed pods are covered in fine, irritating hairs — wear gloves when handling — though the plant has notable traditional medicinal uses.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 6 hours
- Watering
- Water deeply to keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged · Every 5-7 days during growing season; reduce in cooler or drier periods
- Maintenance
- Moderate
- Soil
- loam
- Temperature
- -10°F to 95°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 6a-11b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 4 ft
- Spread
- 18 in
- Spacing
- 36 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Deep
- Flowers
- No
- Foliage
- Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Andaman Is., Angola, Assam, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil North, Brazil Northeast, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, Brazil West-Central, Burkina, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Repu, Chad
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Moths
Sources: trefle
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