Argyrolobium tuberosum
Eckl. & Zeyh.
Fabaceae
Argyrolobium angustifolium Eckl. & Zeyh.
Chasmone tuberosa (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Meisn.
Common Name:
General Information
Argyrolobium tuberosum is an erect, herbaceous perennial plant producing a single, unbranched or slightly branched stem 40 - 90cm tall from a tuberous rootstock[
328- Title
- African Flowering Plants Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/recherche.php
- Publisher
- Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques.
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains information on over 150,000 plant names (including synonyms) giving a description and habitat, plus a distribution map.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
Range
Southern Africa - Zimbabwe, Swaziland, S. Africa
Habitat
Sandy river banks and grassland; at elevations around 1,700 metres[
328- Title
- African Flowering Plants Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/recherche.php
- Publisher
- Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques.
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains information on over 150,000 plant names (including synonyms) giving a description and habitat, plus a distribution map.
].
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Habit | Perennial |
| Height | 0.60 m |
| Pollinators | Insects |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Argyrolobium tuberosum grows at moderate elevations in the subtropical regions of S. Africa, where it can experience several frosts each year and occasional snow. Rainfall can vary from 600 - 1,200mm per year[
1322- Title
- A Contribution to the Flora of the Leribe Plateau and Environs
- Publication
- Annals of the South African Museum Vol XVI
- Author
- Garabedian S.
- Publisher
- South African Museum
- Year
- 1917
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A brief description of the plants, usually giving local names and often traditional uses.
].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[
1309- Title
- The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
- Publication
-
- Author
- Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
- Publisher
- University of Wisconsin
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 0-333-32221-5
- Description
- An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].
Edible Uses
Tuber[
]. Children chew the roots[
1322- Title
- A Contribution to the Flora of the Leribe Plateau and Environs
- Publication
- Annals of the South African Museum Vol XVI
- Author
- Garabedian S.
- Publisher
- South African Museum
- Year
- 1917
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A brief description of the plants, usually giving local names and often traditional uses.
]. The tuberous root can be more than 30cm long[
1322- Title
- A Contribution to the Flora of the Leribe Plateau and Environs
- Publication
- Annals of the South African Museum Vol XVI
- Author
- Garabedian S.
- Publisher
- South African Museum
- Year
- 1917
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A brief description of the plants, usually giving local names and often traditional uses.
].
Leaves[
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Temperate Plants Database 2016 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
