Winged bean
Winged bean
Winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus), also known as the goa bean, four-angled bean, four-cornered bean, manila bean, princess pea, asparagus pea, dragon bean, or sigarilyas, is a tropical legume plant native to New Guinea. It grows abundantly in hot, humid equatorial countries, from the Philippines and Indonesia to India, Burma, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. It does well in humid tropics with high rainfall.
Pronunciation
- English: /ˈwɪŋd biːn/
Etymology
The term "winged bean" is a direct translation of its scientific name Psophocarpus tetragonolobus. Psophocarpus is derived from the Greek words psophos meaning "noise" or "rattle", and carpos meaning "fruit". This refers to the noise the dried pods make when shaken. Tetragonolobus is derived from the Greek words tetra meaning "four", gonia meaning "angle", and lobos meaning "pod", referring to the four-angled shape of the bean pod.
Related terms
The winged bean plant is a vine that grows well in hot and humid conditions, and it is known for its unique square-shaped beans with frilly edges that resemble wings, hence the name "winged bean". The entire plant is edible: the leaves, flowers, roots, and especially the pods and seeds. The beans are high in protein, and the plant is often used in permaculture systems due to its ability to fix nitrogen and improve soil fertility.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Winged bean
- Wikipedia's article - Winged bean
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