Winged Bean

Psophocarpus tetragonolobus

Physical Characteristics

Psophocarpus tetragonolobus is a PERENNIAL growing to 2 m (6ft 7in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Original habitat is obscure, probably Tropical Africa.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Oil Oil Root Seed Seedpod Shoots Stem Edible Uses: Coffee Colouring Oil Oil Young seedpods - cooked for a few minutes[2, 46, 61, 116]. They tastes like French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)[183]. The pods are harvested when about 15 - 20 cm long and 2cm wide[200]. They will store for up to 21 days at 10°c with a relative humidity of 90%[200]. The yields of pods average 250 - 500g per m²[200]. Immature seeds are used in soups etc[183]. Mature seeds are eaten cooked[2, 46, 61, 116]. They are very nutritious, being rich in oil (up to 17%)[160], protein, vitamin E and calcium. The seed can also be roasted and eaten like peanuts or fermented and used as tempeh[183]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed[183]. Root - raw or cooked like potatoes[160, 183]. Slightly sweet, it contains 20% or more protein, which is about 12 times that of potatoes[116, 183]. Leaves and young shoots - cooked. They are used like spinach[61, 116, 183]. Flowers and flower buds - raw or cooked[183]. They have a flavour similar to mushrooms when sautéed[116]. The light blue flowers are also used as a colouring in foods[183]. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[183].

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

None known