Common Name:

General Information

Pueraria edulis is a climbing perennial shrub with twining stems 3 - 9mm in diameter growing from a tuberous rootstock. The stems are usually 3 - 7 metres long, scrambling over the ground and climbing into nearby plants for support[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - southern China (Guangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan), Bhutan, northeastern India (Sikkim, Manipur)

Habitat

Forests; at elevations from 1,000 - 3,200 metres[]. Climbing over dwarf bushes or oak trees, on hill slopes, in forests, near streams, on schistaceous, sandy, and rocky soils[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	5.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Pueraria edulis is a plant of moderate to high elevations in the warm temperate to tropical mountains of southern China and northern India.
Species in this genus generally grow best in a sunny position in a well-drained soil[].
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[].

Edible Uses

Tuber[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow in a warm greenhouse in early spring. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out after the last expected frosts[]. Cover the young plants with a frame or cloche until they are growing away well.