Mucuna urens

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range that spans multiple continents and oceanic regions. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found growing within the Congo region. Its presence extends across the Atlantic to Central America, specifically inhabiting Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Honduras. Additionally, the species reaches the North-Central Pacific, where it is located in Hawaii. This wide distribution highlights the plant's ability to thrive in various tropical environments around the globe.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Mucuna urens is characterized by a broad adaptive capacity across diverse environments, ranging from sea level up to an elevation of 2000 m AMSL. This species thrives in a variety of specialized habitats, including anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica), coastal restinga ecosystems, and riparian environments such as gallery forests (Floresta de Galeria) and floodplain forests (Floresta de Várzea). Furthermore, it is frequently found within moist, high-rainfall forest systems, specifically ombrophilous forests (Floresta Ombrófila/Pluvial) and coastal strip forests (Floresta Ciliar), where it can effectively integrate into the complex structural layers of these ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Várzea, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga

Life history

The life history of Mucuna urens is characterized by its status as a perennial climber, allowing it to establish a long-term presence within its tropical forest habitats. As a perennial species, it does not complete its life cycle within a single growing season but instead undergoes continuous growth and development over multiple years. This perennial nature enables the plant to develop extensive climbing mechanisms and robust root systems, which facilitate its ability to scramble over other vegetation to reach sunlight. Throughout its extended lifespan, the plant undergoes seasonal cycles of vegetative expansion and reproductive phases, ensuring its persistence in the ecosystem through repeated flowering and seed production.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Mucuna urens is characterized by its robust growth habit, functioning as a large, woody liana that exhibits an obligatory climbing mechanism. Reaching a significant plant height with a mean of approximately 15 m, this species is strictly terrestrial in its ecological positioning, neither behaving as an epiphyte nor an aquatic plant. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic tendencies, relying instead on its woody structure to ascend through forest canopies.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Mucuna urens is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process and metabolic efficiency under varying environmental conditions. As a member of the Fabaceae family, this species exhibits a specialized nitrogen-fixing capability through a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria located within its root nodules. This biological nitrogen fixation allows the plant to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, significantly enhancing its nutrient uptake and promoting vigorous growth even in nitrogen-poor soils. This combination of C3 metabolism and efficient nitrogen fixation supports its rapid climbing habit and robust biomass production.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Mucuna urens has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Seed

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR