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Fabaceae FAMILY

Dioclea violacea

Dioclea violacea

Edibility
2/5
Medicinal
2/5

Safety & Hazards

The seeds have a reputation for being poisonous - perhaps unjustifiably[1]. 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[2]. 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—

Not known

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+violacea>

Pollinators

Data unavailable

References

  1. [1]Diccionario das Plantas Uteis do Brasil — Correa M.P. · Imprensa Nacional; Rio de Janeiro · 1926 ↩︎A massive work in 6 volumes giving details of the various uses of Brazilian plants.
  2. [2]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 ↩︎
  3. [3]The Botany of San Jose Island (Gulf of Panama) — Johnston I.M. · Arnold Arboretum; Massachusetts · 1949 ↩︎
  4. [PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎