Mucuna paniculata
Mucuna paniculata
Safety & Hazards
Mucuna species often possess irritant hairs on the seedpods and sometimes on the flowers and other parts. These hairs consist of 1-2 small basal cells and a large needle-like top cell. The top cell breaks off easily, piercing the skin and injecting chemical compounds that are present in the hairs. The proteolytic enzyme 'Mucunain' is said to be the active agent[ 1533 Title Notes on Malesian Fabaceae (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) 16. The genus Mucuna Publication Blumea 61, 2016: 90-124 Author Wiriadinata H.; Ohashi H.; Adema F. Website http://dx.doi.org/10.3767/000651916X692799 Publisher Year 2016 ISBN Description An excellent treatment ]. The hairs can contaminate clothes or other objects, and remain active when dried, though they can be destroyed by heat[ 299 Title Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. Publication Author Website http://www.prota.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa. , 374 Title Contact-Poisonous Plants of the World Publication Author Rohde. M. Website http://mic-ro.com/plants/ Publisher Year 2006 ISBN Description A document on the internet. Gives brief information on about 35 species of plants that can cause severe problems from a single contact with the skin. , 1309 Title The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation Publication Author Allen O.N.; Allen E.K. Publisher University of Wisconsin Year 1981 ISBN 0-333-32221-5 Description 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. ]. Intense itching, with reddening of the skin and small papules or urticaria occur a few minutes after contact with the hairy parts of the plant. There is no serious danger, unless the hairs get into the eye, in which case, in extreme situations, they have caused blindness. To remove the hairs from the skin, adhesive tape and washing with water and soap are considered useful. Dermatitis can be treated with corticosteroid ointment. See a doctor immediately if hairs go into the eyes[ 374 Title Contact-Poisonous Plants of the World Publication Author Rohde. M. Website http://mic-ro.com/plants/ Publisher Year 2006 ISBN Description A document on the internet. Gives brief information on about 35 species of plants that can cause severe problems from a single contact with the skin. ].
Botanical Description
Mucuna paniculata is a climbing shrub with twining stems The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, and is also traded nationally[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. Mucuna paniculata has a wide range in northern Madagascar, but its long-term well-being is threatened by habitat destruction due to slash-and-burn land management techniques for facilitating shifting agriculture and selective wood harvesting. The plant is currently classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].