Mucuna paniculata
{{Short description|Species of legume}}
{{Speciesbox
|image=
|status=LC
|status_system=IUCN3.1
|status_ref={{r|iucn}}
|genus=Mucuna
|species=paniculata
|authority=Baker{{Cite web |title=Mucuna paniculata |url=https://www.ipni.org/n/509264-1 |website=International Plant Names Index |publisher=The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries and Australian National Botanic Gardens |access-date=28 September 2020}}
|synonyms_ref={{cite web |title=Mucuna paniculata Baker |date=2017 |work=Plants of the World Online |publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew |url=http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/509264-1 |access-date=28 September 2020}}
|synonyms=*Mucuna horrida Baill.
- Mucuna myriaptera Baker
}}
Mucuna paniculata is a species of flowering, woody vine in the family Fabaceae, the bean family. It is native to northern Madagascar where it is locally known in Malagasy as vohinkovika.{{Cite web|author=Members of the IUCN SSC Madagascar Plant Specialist Group |date=2015-03-26|title=Mucuna paniculata |url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/70102880/70143679|access-date=2020-09-28|website=IUCN Red List of Threatened Species}}{{Cite web|title=Mucuna paniculata - Useful Tropical Plants|url=http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Mucuna+paniculata|access-date=2020-09-28|website=tropical.theferns.info}} It flowers between June and August.{{r|iucn}}
Distribution and habitat
Mucuna paniculata is found at elevations between sea level to {{cvt|2500|m}} in northern Madagascar. These vines can be found in both humid and sub-humid forests, usually near rivers and streams.{{r|iucn}}
Toxicity
Species in the genus Mucuna are known to carry irritant hairs. These hairs contain mucunain, an enzyme which causes itching.{{Cite journal|last1=Wiriadinata|first1=H.|last2=Ohashi|first2=H.|last3=Adema|first3=F.|date=2016-09-12|title=Notes on Malesian Fabaceae (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae). 16. The genus Mucuna|url=https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/nhn/blumea/2016/00000061/00000002/art00003;jsessionid=2m252k5171jqq.x-ic-live-03|journal=Blumea - Biodiversity, Evolution and Biogeography of Plants|volume=61|issue=2|pages=90–124|doi=10.3767/000651916X692799}} This enzyme can be destroyed using heat.{{Cite journal|last1=Cowan|first1=R. S.|last2=Allen|first2=O. N.|last3=Allen|first3=E. K.|author-link3=Ethel K. Allen|date=February 1982|title=The Leguminosae: A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses, and Nodulation|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1220602|journal=Taxon|volume=31|issue=1|pages=133|doi=10.2307/1220602|jstor=1220602 |issn=0040-0262|url-access=subscription}}
Cultivation
This plant usually grows well in well-drained soil under shade.{{Cite book|last=Fayaz, Ahmen, 1968-|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/1059274282|title=Encyclopedia of tropical plants : the identification and cultivation of over 3,000 tropical plants|date=2011|publisher=Firefly Books|isbn=978-1-55407-489-1|oclc=1059274282}} They are propagated with seeds.
Conservation
It is listed as 'least concern' by the IUCN.{{r|iucn}}
=Threats=
Habitat destruction by slash-and-burn techniques pose a potential threat to the species.{{r|iucn}}
=Protected areas=
The species is found in the protected areas of the Betampona Integral Natural Reserve, Manongarivo Special Reserve, Marojejy National Park, Masoala National Park and Montagne d'Ambre National Park.{{r|iucn}}