TROPICAL PLANT ENCYCLOPEDIA


Pictogram Guide · Mouse over pictogram for definition

Mucuna gigantea, White Jade Vine, Hamburger Bean, Seabean, Burny Bean

Mucuna gigantea

White Jade Vine, Hamburger Bean, Seabean, Burny Bean
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Vine or creeper plantSemi-shadeFull sunRegular waterWhite, off-white flowersEthnomedical 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.Irritating plantSeaside, salt tolerant plant

Mucuna gigantea (White Jade Vine) is a type of vine or creeper that requires full sun to semi-shade, and regular watering for best growth. Its white or off-white flowers are produced in pendent, round-topped, umbel-like clusters and often appear in late winter or early spring. The leaves are trifoliolate, with three wide, hairless, green leaflets.

The stems and leaves of the White Jade Vine are mildly irritating to the skin, so it is best handled with gloves. Despite this, it is still an ethnomedical plant, used in various traditional medical systems. The woody, polished seeds of the vine - which resemble hamburgers - are used in making necklaces and leis. These seeds are poisonous, containing L-DOPA and other possibly toxic substances.

Mucuna gigantea is a salt tolerant plant that can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 9-11. Its ideal growing conditions include an area near the seaside or other coastal areas, with full sun to semi-shade. Even though this plant thrives near seaside environments, it does not require sowing or propagation. Regular watering is needed to keep the soil moist, but not soggy. The White Jade Vine prefers slightly acidic soils, and can be grown in pots in cold regions. Feeding with a balanced organic fertilizer once month during the growing season is recommended. Any pruning should be done lightly, in late winter or early spring.


Similar plants:


Mucuna gigantea, White Jade Vine, Hamburger Bean, Seabean, Burny Bean
Mucuna gigantea, White Jade Vine, Hamburger Bean, Seabean, Burny Bean
Mucuna gigantea, White Jade Vine, Hamburger Bean, Seabean, Burny Bean
Mucuna gigantea, White Jade Vine, Hamburger Bean, Seabean, Burny Bean


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

Mucuna holtonii - seeds

Chandelier vine. Mucuna holtonii is a very interesting rare species of Jade vine, pollinated by bats when a triangular flower petal reflects precise sound wave signals to guide the bats to the nectar. Bats are able to detect if the flowers have nectar using echolocation. After an initial bat visit during which nectar is removed, the petals are arranged in a different manner!
It is a beautiful and robust woody vine native to Central America, and the northern part of South America. The 'chandelier' cluster of two-inch-long, whitish-green flowers hang on very long peduncles.
The seeds are very large, round, and flat and have a high concentration of L-dopa (a toxic amino acid). They are extremely buoyant and well adapted for ocean dispersal, traveling from continent to continent. The thick hard coating gives them many years of viability.
Ordering seeds info

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES:
Seed Germination Mix #3, professional grade
SUNSHINE-Epi - Seeds and cuttings booster
SUNSHINE Bombino - Young Plant Booster
Per pack: 6 large seeds
In stock
$8.95