TROPICAL PLANT ENCYCLOPEDIA


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Mucuna pruriens, Carpopogon pruriens, Dolichos pruriens, Mucuna aterrima, Nescafe, Cowitch, Velvet Bean, Purple Jade Vine

Mucuna pruriens, Carpopogon pruriens, Dolichos pruriens, Mucuna aterrima

Nescafe, Cowitch, Velvet Bean, Purple Jade Vine
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Origin: Africa, India
USDA Zone: 10-11?
USDA Plant Hardiness MapVine or creeper plantFull sunRegular waterBlue, lavender, purple flowersWhite, off-white flowersPink flowersEdible plantPlant attracts butterflies, hummingbirdsEthnomedical plant.
Plants marked as ethnomedical and/or described as medicinal, are not offered as medicine but rather as ornamentals or plant collectibles.
Ethnomedical statements / products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We urge all customers to consult a physician before using any supplements, herbals or medicines advertised here or elsewhere.Seaside, salt tolerant plant

Mucuna pruriens (Nescafe) is a vine with unusual royal purple flowers that grow in long clusters. It can reach heights of 50 feet or more and is native to Africa and India. The plant also produces clusters of pods that contain seeds known as Nescafe beans, which are covered in reddish-orange hairs that can cause skin irritation.

This ethnobotanical plant is attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds and thrives in full sun with regular watering. It can be grown in USDA Zones 9-11 and is tolerant of salt air and sea spray, making it ideal for seaside gardens. The plant produces flowers in shades ranging from pink, white, and off-white to blue, lavender, and purple.

The Nescafe beans and their pods are edible and contain valuable minerals, protein, and vitamins. They are used in many traditional and medicinal recipes. The plant has been used for generations in India for Parkinson's disease as it is thought to make dopamine, an important brain chemical involved in mood, sexuality, and movement. Additionally, the plant has antioxidant properties.

In Central America, velvet beans are roasted and ground to make a coffee substitute known as "Nescafe". The Ketchi indigenous people in Guatemala still grow Nescafe as a food crop, cooking the bean as a vegetable. Externally, the plant is applied to ulcers and is considered a diuretic, nerve tonic, and aphrodisiac.

In regions with cold winters, Mucuna pruriens can be grown in pots and brought outdoors in warmer weather. Make sure the potting soil is well-draining and that the plant receives plenty of sunlight. Regular watering is important, but allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Monthly feeding with a fertilizer formulated for flowering plants will promote blooming. Pruning the plant in spring will ensure a healthy and attractive appearance.


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Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/mucuna_pruriens.htm

Mucuna pruriens - Nescafe, Purple Jade Vine

Nescafe, Purple Jade Vine. Attractive legume with unusual royal purple flowers and seeds known as mucuna beans or Nescafe. Seeds and are used as a coffee substitute. Has been used for generations in India as a medicinal plant. Related to red Jade vine (Mucuna bennettii). The dark violet blooms appear closely pushed together in grape like clusters, up to 1 ft long and 6" in diameter. Very vigorous woody tree creeper - during warmer weather this vine can grow 2 feet or more a week!

Recommended Fertilizer: SUNSHINE Robusta - Rapid Growth Booster
This item is certified for shipping to California.
Grown in
6"/1 gal pot