Mucuna platyphylla
Mucuna platyphylla
- Native to:
- American Samoa, Bismarck Archipelago, Caroline Is., Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Guam, Maluku, Marianas, New Guinea, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Is., Sulawesi, Tonga, Tubuai Is., Vanuatu
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Mucuna
- Species:
- Mucuna platyphylla
- USDA Symbol:
- MUPL2
Growth Characteristics
- Height:
- 1500 cm
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, white
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers tropical forest conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require scarification (nicking or hot water treatment) followed by cold stratification for 30-60 days.