St. Thomas Bean (Entada phaseoloides)

Family: Fabaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Entada phaseoloides or commonly known as St. Thomas Bean is an evergreen, woody plant that climbs and has a flattened and spiral stem. It can be 100 m long and 18 cm in diameter. It can be found in tropical and subtropical areas in East Asia. The flowers are yellowish white and form on a long spike in the leaf axils. The leaves have long leaf stalks.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves, Sap/Syrup

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

All the following reports need to be treated with care since there is also a report that the plant is poisonous. The soaked and roasted seeds are eaten. — All the following reports need to be treated with care since there is also a report that the plant is poisonous.; The soaked and roasted seeds are eaten.; Although poisonous raw, the seeds can be rendered edible by prolonged soaking and roasting.; The seeds are edible cooked.

Habitat & North American Range

Found in a wide variety of habitats, ranging from freshwater swamp and inland from the mangrove up to montane forest, at elevations up to 900 metres, occasionally to 1,700 metres. (Zone 10)