Macroptilium erythroloma (Bentham) Urban

Leguminosae

Synonyms

• Phaseolus erythroloma Martius ex Bentham (1838)

Common names:

Macroptilium erythroloma

Description:

Perennial, herbaceous, voluble, stems up to 1 m long. Flowers with several means (colours, scents) to secure entomophilous cross pollination; many insects attracted by flowers provoke successful flower tripping. In temperate areas, growth starts early spring up to summer; in tropical areas flowers/fruits all year around; susceptible to frosts, moderately resistant to droughts.

Distribution:

Origin America, from Southern U.S.A. to Uruguay; diversity centres in México, Brazil and Paraguay.

Habitat:

Grows on dense forest sides along streams protected by woody weeds. Grazing is difficult due to difficult access to growing areas. Found up to 1300 masl.

Use:

Produces good volume of forage; good seed production and effective natural reseeding; competes well with weeds, rapid early growth. In trials, at flowering had 15.6 % crude protein, 0.19 % P.

Main References:

Fernández et al. (1988); Fevereiro (1987); Izaguirre & Beyhaut (1998)