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: Chiang Mai (Doi Suthep-Pui N.P.), 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.
Mucuna pruriens.jpg
Mucuna pruriens Khao Yai National Park Nakhon Ratchasima November
Mucuna pruriens.jpg
Mucuna pruriens Khao Yai National Park Nakhon Ratchasima November
Mucuna pruriens.jpg
Mucuna pruriens Khao Yai National Park Nakhon Ratchasima November
Mucuna pruriens Doi Suthep-Pui NP Chaing Mai Nov 2021.jpg
Mucuna pruriens, Doi Suthep-Pui N.P. Chaing Mai, Nov 2021
Mucuna pruriens from Pai.jpg
Mucuna pruriens, Pai Mae Hong Son, November 2017
References: 
The Plant List
​BGO Plant Database, The Botanical Garden Organization 
Flora of China