African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa)

Family: Fabaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

African Yam Bean, Sphenostylis stenocarpa, is a tropical, fast-growing climbing vine growing up to 2 m in height from a tuberous rootstock. Its leaves are comprised of three leaflets each of 14 cm long and 5 cm wide. The flowers can be pink, purple, or greenish-white, occurring in the axils of the leaves. Seed pods are flat and smooth. This species has no medicinal uses.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves, Roots/Tubers

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

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Rich in protein, they are boiled and eaten as a vegetable, or added to soups etc. — Immature seedpods - cooked and used as a vegetable.; The pods are up to 25cm long and 15mm wide.; Rich in protein, they are boiled and eaten as a vegetable, or added to soups etc.; The seed is about 9mm long.

Habitat & North American Range

Brachystegia woodland, riparian and lakeshore bushland, grassland, roadsides, often in rocky places and on termite mounds, at elevations of 10 - 1,500, occasionally 2,000 metres. (Zone 10)