Envoy at 03:59, 14 July 2007

2007-07-14T03:59:05Z

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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Winged Bean
| image = Winged Bean.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = Winged bean flowers and leaves
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Fabales]]
| familia = [[Fabaceae]]
| subfamilia = [[Faboideae]]
| tribus = [[Phaseoleae]]
| genus = ''[[Psophocarpus]]''
| species = '''''P. tetragonolobus'''''
| binomial = ''Psophocarpus tetragonolobus''
| binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]) D.C.
}}
[[Image:Psophocarpus tetragonolobus1.jpg|300px|thumb|Winged bean]]
The '''Winged bean''' (''Psophocarpus tetragonolobus''), also known as the '''Goa bean''' ('''kacang botol''' in Malaysia), is a tropical [[legume]] [[plant]] native to Papua [[New Guinea]]. It grows abundantly in hot, humid [[equator]]ial countries, from the [[Philippines]] and [[Indonesia]] to [[India]], [[Burma]] and [[Sri Lanka]]. It does well in humid tropics with high rainfall.

The winged bean plant grows as a vine with climbing stems and [[Leaf|leaves]], 3-4 m in height. It is an [[herb]]aceous [[Perennial plant|perennial]], but can be grown as an [[Annual plant|annual]]. It is generally taller and notably larger than the [[Common bean]]. The bean pod is typically 15-22 cm (6-9 in) long and has four wings with frilly edges running lengthwise. The skin is waxy and the flesh partially translucent in the young pods. When the pod is fully ripe, it turns an ash-brown color and splits open to release the seeds. The large [[flower]] is a pale blue. The beans themselves are similar to soybeans in both use and nutritional content (being 29.8% to 39% protein).

The plant is one of the best [[Nitrogen fixation|nitrogen fixer]]s with nodulation accomplished by the [[soil]] bacterium ''[[Rhizobium]]''. Because of its ability to fix [[nitrogen]] from the atmosphere, the plant requires very little or no [[fertilizer]]s.

Being a tropical plant, it is sensitive to frost. It will not flower if day length is more than 12 hours. The seeds have a hard coat and it helps to presoak the seeds before planting to hasten [[germination]]. The plant grows very quickly, reaching a length of four meters in a few weeks.

== Uses ==
This bean has been called the "one species supermarket" because practically all of the plant is edible. The beans are used as a [[vegetable]], but the other parts (leaves, flowers, and [[tuber]]ous roots) are also edible. The tender pods, which are the most widely eaten part of the plant, can be harvested within two to three months of planting. The flowers are often used to color [[rice]] and pastries. The flavor of the beans has a similarity to [[asparagus]]. The young leaves can be picked and prepared as a [[leaf vegetable]], similar to [[spinach]]. The roots can be used as a [[root vegetable]], similar to the [[potato]], and have a nutty flavor; they are also much more rich in [[protein]] than potatoes. The dried seeds can be useful as a [[flour]] and also to make a [[coffee]]-like drink. Each of these parts of the winged bean provide a source of [[vitamin A]] and other [[vitamin]]s.

It is possible that, with a little [[Genetics|genetic]] [[plant improvement|improvement]] through selective breeding, the winged bean could raise the standard of living for millions of people in poor, tropical countries.

== References ==
* Venketeswaran, S., M.A.D.L. Dias, and U.V. Weyers. ''The winged bean: A potential protein crop''. p. 445. In: J. Janick and J.E. Simon (eds.), ''Advances in new crops''. Timber Press, Portland, OR (1990).
* [http://www.leafforlife.org/PAGES/PSOPHOCA.HTM Entry for the Winged Bean in the "Leaf for Life" website]
* Wilson, Edward O.; ''The Diversity of Life''. The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts (1992).

[[Category:Faboideae]]
[[Category:Edible legumes]]
[[Category:Root vegetables]]
[[Category:Leaf vegetables]]
[[Category:Vegetable-like fruits]]
[[Category:Tropical agriculture]]
[[Category:Underutilized crops]]

Winged bean - Revision history

Envoy at 03:59, 14 July 2007