Entada Phaseoloides
St Thomas Bean
Very large woody climber with twisted stems and huge bean pods, 30-100cm long. The plant is a rich source of saponins and is commonly used for washing the hair, cleaning clothes,etc. The plant is poisonous, and the seeds are only edible if soaked for a long time, and then roasted. They are then sometimes used as a coffee substitute
Contributed by @caroline
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Full sun to partial shade
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Occasional watering
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Not Frost hardy
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Moist and free draining
Common name
St Thomas Bean
Latin name
Entada Phaseoloides
type
Evergreen Climber
family
Fabaceae
ph
5.5 - 8.0 Acid - Neutral
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Light
Full sun to partial shade
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Frost
Not Frost hardy
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Soil
Moist and free draining
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Water
Occasional watering
Plant & bloom calendar
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Best time to plant
full grown dimensions
2.00 M
30.00 M
Entada Phaseoloides
Very large woody climber with twisted stems and huge bean pods, 30-100cm long. The plant is a rich source of saponins and is commonly used for washing the hair, cleaning clothes,etc. The plant is poisonous, and the seeds are only edible if soaked for a long time, and then roasted. They are then sometimes used as a coffee substitute
Propagating by seed
From Early Spring TO Mid Spring
The seed has a hard seed-coat and scarification may be necessary before sowing, to speed up germination. Do this by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for up to 24 hours in warm water (which should make the seeds swell).
Planting
From Mid Spring TO Late Spring
This plant needs moist, well-draining soil. It will grow in partial shade of in sun. NOTE : Care should be taken when handling this plant is poisonous.
caroline