it is culinary edible bean that is cooked or fried before use, with both astringent and diuretic properties. Indicated for urinary tract sisorders. Also it makes good green manure. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. It can fix Nitrogen.
The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil.
Edible Uses: Edible Parts - seed; seedpod. Young seedpods - cooked. They are picked whilst the seeds are very immature and then cooked like French beans. Seed - cooked. Rich in protein. (info source: pfad.org)
Genus - Dolichos
Species - Biflorus
Common name - Horse Gram
Pre-Treatment - Not-required
Hardiness zones - 4 - 8
Height - 1,20 -4,70 m
Plant type - Annual
Vegetation type - Deciduous
Exposure - Full Sun
Growth rate - Fast
Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Water requirements - Average Water
Landscape uses - This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds, flowers are fragrant
Germination rate - 85%
Bloom season - Summer
Leaf / Flower color - Green / Pale Yellow
Useful Info | |
Germination | Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow in trays in early to mid spring in a greenhouse. Germination should take place within 10 days. Grow the plants on fast and plant them out after the last expected frosts. Consider giving them the protection of a cloche for their first few weeks outdoors to ensure that they do not suffer a check to their growth. An outdoor sowing in situ in late spring may succeed in a warm summer, though it is much more likely to be a disappointment in Britain. (source: pfaf.org) |