Velvet Bean Website Links For
Mucuna
 

Information About

Velvet Bean




  Name ''Mucuna pruriens
  Regnum Plant ae
  Divisio Magnoliophyta
  Classis Magnoliopsida
  Ordo Fabales
  Familia Fabaceae
  Subfamilia Faboideae
  Tribus Phaseoleae
  Genus '' Mucuna ''
  Species '''''M pruriens'''''
  Binomial ''Mucuna pruriens''
  Binomial Authority ( L ) DC


''Mucuna pruriens'' (syn. ''Dolichos pruriens'') is a tropical Legume known by a multitude of common names, including '''velvet bean''', '''cowitch''', '''cowhage''', '''kapikachu''', '''nescafe''', '''sea bean''', '''kratzbohnen''', '''konch''', and '''atmagupta'''. The plant is an annual, climbing shrub with long vines that can reach over 15 m.

It bears white, lavender, or purple Flower s and pods that are covered in loose orange hairs which cause a severe itch if they come in contact with skin. The beans are shiny black or brown. It is found in tropical Africa , India and the Caribbean .