Mucuna pruriens  (L.) DC.

Velvet Bean, Bengal Velvet Bean, Florida Velvet Bean, Mauritius Velvet Bean, Yokohama Velvet Bean, Cowage, Cowitch, Lacuna Bean, Lyon Bean
Plants > Angiosperms > Fabaceae > ​​Mucuna pruriens

Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Class: Dicots
Order: Fabales
Family: ​​Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
Subfamily: Faboideae
Genus: Mucuna
Species: pruriens

  • Common names: Velvet Bean, Bengal Velvet Bean, Florida Velvet Bean, Mauritius Velvet Bean, Yokohama Velvet Bean, Cowage, Cowitch, Lacuna Bean, Lyon Bean
  • Thai names: หมามุ้ย Maamui (Central), กลออื้อแซ Klo-ue-sae (Karen-Mae Hong Son), บะเหยือง Ba Yueang, หมาเหยือง Maa yueang (Northern), โพล่ยู Phlo-yuu (Karen-Kanchanaburi)
  • Chinese names: 刺毛黧豆 ci mao li dou
  • Distribution: Native to Africa and tropical Asia, widely naturalised and cultivated.
  • Image locations: Mae Hong Son (Pai), Nakhon Ratchasima (Khao Yai N.P.)
  • Map info: Provinces are highlighted according to phytogeographical areas as used in the Flora of Thailand project.
  • Additional notes: Serotonin on the surface of the bean makes it very itchy if touched. An herbal aphrodisiac.
Mucuna pruriens image location map.jpg
Image locations
Images of Mucuna pruriens from Thailand.
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Mucuna pruriens Khao Yai National Park Nakhon Ratchasima November
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Mucuna pruriens Khao Yai National Park Nakhon Ratchasima November
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Mucuna pruriens Khao Yai National Park Nakhon Ratchasima November
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Mucuna pruriens, Pai Mae Hong Son, November 2017
References: 
The Plant List
​BGO Plant Database, The Botanical Garden Organization 
Flora of China