Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Fabales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
pruriens
ID:
183216

Status:
valid

Authors:
(L.) DC.

Source:
ildis

Year:
1825

Citation Micro:
Prodr.2: 405 (1825)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000182545



Common Names

  • Mucuna pruriens
  • Cowitch
  • Velvet Bean


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Synonyms

  • Mucuna prurita (L.) Hook. [unknown]
  • Stizolobium pruritum Piper [illegitimate]
  • Stizolobium pruriens (L.) Medik. [valid]
  • Dolichos pruriens L. [valid]
  • Marcanthus cochinchinense Lour. [unknown]
  • Carpogon niveus Roxb. [unknown]
  • Carpogon capitatus Roxb. [unknown]
  • Mucuna cochinchinense (Lour.) A.Chev. [unknown]
  • Stizolobium cochinchinense (Lour.) Burk [deprecated]
  • Hornera pruriens (L.) Neck. [invalid]
  • Mucuna prurita Wight [illegitimate]
  • Carpopogon pruriens (L.) Roxb. [valid]
  • Negretia pruriens (L.) Oken [valid]
  • Labradia pruriens (L.) Swediaur [valid]

Description

Mucuna pruriens (also called cowhage, among many other common names) is a perennial climbing plant native to the tropical regions of the Americas. It has long, hairy stems and trifoliate leaves. It grows in tropical rainforests, savannas, and disturbed areas.

Uses & Benefits

Mucuna pruriens is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks. It is also used in traditional medicine for treating fever, inflammation, and skin diseases.

Cultivars, Varieties & Sub-species

Mucuna pruriens var. utilis (Wall. ex Wight) L.H.Bailey
Mucuna pruriens var. pruriens
Mucuna pruriens var. hirsuta (Wight & Arn.) Wilmot-Dear
Mucuna pruriens var. utilis (Wall. ex Wight) Baker ex Burck

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Mucuna pruriens has small, yellow flowers with five petals. The seeds are small and oval-shaped. The seedlings have small, oval-shaped leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Mucuna pruriens is an evergreen vine that grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant and can be propagated from seed or cuttings. It is also known to be susceptible to root rot if overwatered.

Where to Find Mucuna pruriens

Mucuna pruriens is native to the Sonoran Desert of Mexico and the southwestern United States. It can be found in dry, rocky, and sandy soils in areas with low rainfall.

Mucuna pruriens FAQ

What is the scientific name of Mucuna pruriens?

Mucuna pruriens

What is the common name of Mucuna pruriens?

Cowitch

What is the natural habitat of Mucuna pruriens?

Tropical and subtropical dry shrublands

Species in the Mucuna genus

Mucuna argyrophylla, Mucuna holtonii, Mucuna rostrata, Mucuna urens, Mucuna elliptica, Mucuna mitis, Mucuna mollis, Mucuna mutisiana, Mucuna coriacea, Mucuna ferox, Mucuna flagellipes, Mucuna gigantea, Mucuna glabrialata, Mucuna melanocarpa, Mucuna poggei, Mucuna pesa, Mucuna pruriens, Mucuna sloanei, Mucuna stans, Mucuna urens, Mucuna killipiana, Mucuna sempervirens, Mucuna birdwoodiana, Mucuna macrocarpa, Mucuna diabolica, Mucuna reptans, Mucuna bodinieri, Mucuna membranacea, Mucuna pacifica, Mucuna novoguineensis, Mucuna platyphylla, Mucuna pallida, Mucuna warburgii, Mucuna humblotii, Mucuna manongarivensis, Mucuna paniculata, Mucuna championii, Mucuna interrupta, Mucuna macrobotrys, Mucuna hainanensis, Mucuna lamellata, Mucuna cyclocarpa, Mucuna calophylla, Mucuna bracteata, Mucuna gracilipes, Mucuna monosperma, Mucuna oligoplax, Mucuna revoluta, Mucuna stenoplax, Mucuna thailandica,

Species in the Fabaceae family

References

Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'L.' in the authors string.
Augustin Pyramus de Candolle (1778-1841): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'DC.' in the authors string.
Legume Data Portal link for: Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC.: Based on the 2022 Legume checklist.