Nicker Bean

Entada gigas

Native to:
Angola, Belize, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Central American Pacific Is., Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, DR Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Gulf of Guinea Is., Haiti, Honduras, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Leeward Is., Liberia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Sierra Leone, Sudan-South Sudan, Togo, Uganda, Venezuela, Windward Is., Zambia

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Entada
Species:
Entada gigas
USDA Symbol:
ENGI

Growth Characteristics

Height:
3000 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
mar,apr,may,jun
Bloom Colors:
white, cream

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, mammals

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
Commonly found in coastal areas and riverbanks

Propagation & Germination

Scarification:
Seed coat scarification required before sowing
Germination Time:
14–60 days
Notes:
Seeds require scarification (nicking or hot water treatment) to break physical dormancy; germination occurs in warm, moist conditions.