Fabaceae FAMILY

Dioclea reflexa

Edibility

3/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

The seeds of many species in this genus are likely to be used as an emergency food in times of need. We have no specific information on this species, but the seeds of many (if not all) of the species in this genus contain antinutritional substances^[1]. This is not unusual - the seeds of many commonly eaten legumes (including the various Phaseolus species) also often contain antinutritional substances -these are largely removed in the cooking or other preparatory process (such as sprouting). Unless there is clear information that the seeds of this species are completely safe to eat, then it would be unwise to eat them raw; or to consume large quantities of them in one meal; or to consume then on a regular basis over a long period of time^[PFAF].

Cultivation Details

HabitEvergreen Climber

Growth—

Both the seed and leaf have high economic values in culinary and pharmaceutical industries^[2].

Propagation

The seed has a very tough seedcoat and a firm flesh. Many species in the genus grow near rivers or the sea and their seeds can be carried for many months over long distances in the water, whilst retaining viability. It is believed that the seed of some species can retain viability for over 100 years in the soil so long as the seedcoat is not damaged. In order to get the seeds to germinate within one's own lifetime, it is generally necessary to damage the seedcoat without damaging the flesh inside. This can be done quite easily by either cutting a notch into the seedcoat, or abrading it with sandpaper. Once this is done, soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and it should germinate quite quickly^[PFAF]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Dioclea+reflexa>

Pollinators

Data unavailable

References

[1]Immunomodulatory Effects of Hedysarum polybotrys Extract in Mice Macrophages, Splenocytes and Leucopenia — Guan-Cheng Huang et al · http://doi.org/10.3390/molecules181214862 · ISBN 1420-3049 ↩︎
[2]Effects of Methanolic Extract of Dioclea reflexa Hook F Seed on some Haematological and Kidney Function Parameters i — Sunday Ene-Ojo Atawodi & Uju Dorothy Iliemene · 2014 · http://10.9734/BBJ/2014/13836 · ISBN 2231-2927 ↩︎
[3]Flora of Guatemala — Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark · 1946 - 1976 · http://www.archive.org/ ↩︎A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
[4]The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa. — Burkil. H. M. · Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew. · 1985 - 2004 ↩︎Brief descriptions and details of the uses of over 4,000 plants. A superb, if terse, resource, it is also available electronically on the Web - see http://www.aluka.org/
[5]The Botany of San Jose Island (Gulf of Panama) — Johnston I.M. · Arnold Arboretum; Massachusetts · 1949 ↩︎
[6]Proximate Composition of Some Under-Exploited Leguminous Crop Seeds — Akoja S.S. & Amoo A. · 2011 · ISBN 1680-5194 ↩︎
[7]The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation — Allen O.N.; Allen E.K. · University of Wisconsin · 1981 · ISBN 0-333-32221-5 ↩︎An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
[8]Journal of Ethnobiology Vol 17 — Eugene S. Hunn (Editor) · Society of Ethnobiology; Seattle. · 1997 - 1998 ↩︎A series of articles on the various ways humans use plants. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
[9]Botanical Beads — Smith R.J. · http://www.botanicalbeads.com/ ↩︎A website looking at seeds that are used for ornament. It is based on a book that the author had written.
[10]Water extracts of Brazilian leguminous seeds as rich sources of larvicidal compounds against Aedes aegypti L. — Davi F. Farias et al · 2010 · ISBN 0001-3765 ↩︎
[PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎