Abroma augusta
(L) L.f.
Perennial Indian hemp, Maria herrania
(c) Cheongweei Gan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) Aleksandra Churilina, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) Aleksandra Churilina, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Leaves, Vegetable, Fruit, Seed, Seeds - oil
None known
Where to Find It
A tropical plant. It mostly grows in the highlands in the tropics. In North India it grows between 300-1,100 m above sea level. It does well in seasonally moist and dry climates. It is drought tolerant. It needs an average, well-drained soil. It needs an acid pH. It needs full sun. It suits hardiness zones 10-11.
Africa, Amazon, Asia, Australia, Brazil, China, Ecuador, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Peru, Philippines, SE Asia, Sikkim, South America, Thailand, Vietnam, Yap,
How to Identify
A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.
How to Grow
It grows wild. It can be grown from seeds or cuttings of half ripe wood. Seeds germinate in 21-30 days at 24°C.
Propagation: Propagated from seed, which germinates in 21–30 days at 72°F (24°C). Sow in April and prick out seedlings into individual pots once large enough to handle.
Medicinal Uses
The fresh viscid sap of the root bark is considered a valuable emmenagogue and uterine tonic. The plant's juice is used to treat dysmenorrhoea, and the root has been used to treat itch. The plant is also used in the treatment of diabetes.
Other Uses
The plant is used in soil reclamation projects. A high-quality fibre obtained from the bark is soft, glossy, strong, white, and clean, and is much valued for local uses — it has been suggested as a potential substitute for silk. Like jute, it is a good cordage fibre used in making ropes and nets, and is also used for false hair. The bark is retted in water for around a week before the fibres can be extracted. The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental and is noted as an industrial fibre crop in carbon farming contexts.
Wikipedia
Source ↗Abroma augusta is a shrub growing to 3 m (9 ft) by 2 m (6 ft) at a fast rate, hardy to UK zone 10. It grows in light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay well-drained soils, tolerating mildly acid, neutral, and very acid pH. The plant requires full sun and prefers moist soil.
Production
In Sikkim seeds are available October to January.
Other Information
A minor wild leafy vegetable. The seeds are eaten raw by children.
Notes
There is only one Abroma species. They grow in Asia. This one is used for making ropes and strong bags (bilums). It is used in medicine. The leaves have protective effect against diabetes. It has also been put in the family Sterculiaceae.
Names & Synonyms
Batthuc, Bon naga, Boguinca, Cacahuillo, Cacao de monte, Cacau-de-jacare, Cacau-jacare, Cay tai meo, Chinne, Chuit, Devil's cotton, Dieng-tyrkhum, Kumal, Kushi bakau, Kushiikam, Kushikan, Kushikiam, Mamua, Muc, Mway-ma-naing, Mway-say, Mway-seik-phay-pin, Nesa-paubim, Nga-be, Sanukapari, Sanu kapase, Sweet chuil, Teindum, Ulat kambal, Ulat-kam-bala, Ulot kombol
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