Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium)

Family: Fabaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Other common names of Gliricidia are quick stick, mata ratn; cacao de nance, cachanance, pion Cubano (Dominican Republic), madreado (Honduras), kakawate (Philippines), madre xacao or madre de cacao (Philippines and Guatemala), and madero negro (Nicaragua). Considered as the second most important multi-purpose legume tree, Gliricidia or Gliricidia sepium grows about 2-15 m in height with twisted bole of up to 30cm in diameter.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Flowers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Edible portion: Leaves, Flowers, Vegetable. Flowers - cooked and eaten as a potherb. They are also folded into a batter and fried. The leaves have been reported as being eaten. They are used in a fish dish. — Edible portion: Leaves, Flowers, Vegetable.; Flowers - cooked and eaten as a potherb.; They are also folded into a batter and fried.; The leaves have been reported as being eaten.

Habitat & North American Range

Early and middle successional vegetation types on disturbed sites such as coastal sand dunes, river banks, floodplains and fallow land at elevations from sea level up to 1,500 metres. (Zone 10)