Pueraria phaseoloides (Wall. ex Roxb.) Benth.

Bentham, G. (1867) Journal Linnean Society 9: 125.

Kudzu, Tropical; Tropical Kudzu

A slender vine not exceeding a stem diameter of 2 cm.

Middle leaflet larger and on a longer stalk than the lateral leaflets. Lateral leaflets about 7 x 4.5 cm, stalks about 0.4 cm long. Upper and lower leaf blade surfaces clothed in pale +/- prostrate hairs. Leaflet stalks, petioles and stems densely clothed in brownish hairs.

Inflorescence a raceme of fascicles. Calyx tube about 4 mm long, lobes about 1-1.5 mm long, two calyx lobes fused for much of their length. Standard about 20 x 15 mm. Stamens 10, the filaments of nine stamens fused to form a tube open on one side. One stamen free. Ovules about 10-15. Stigma terminal, globular.

Fruits (pods) about 70-80 x 4 mm, clothed in prostrate hairs. Valves spirally twisted after dehiscence. Seeds oblong to slightly reniform, about 5 x 3 mm. Hilum oval, about halfway along the concave side. Cotyledons about 3.5 mm long. Radicle about 1.5 mm long, curved back and closely appressed to the cotyledon margin.

Features not available.

An introduced species originally from SE Asia and Malesia, now naturalised in CYP and NEQ. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 50 m. Usually found on agricultural land, sometimes on rain forest margins. Also naturalised in other tropical countries so that it is now almost pantropical.