Winged bean

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Goa-bean
• asparagus-pea
• four-angle-bean
• princess-pea
• winged-bean
• Four-angled Bean
• Goa Bean
• Winged Bean

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Botor tetragonoloba
• Psophocarpus tetragonolobus var. micropterus
• Psophocarpus tetragonolobus var. macrocarpus
• Psophocarpus tetragonolobus var. aequalis
• Dolichos tetragonolobus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized into the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identification is placed within the genus Psophocarpus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as the jack bean, exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions. In Northern Africa, its presence is notably documented in Egypt. The species also spans much of West Tropical Africa, appearing in countries such as Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Furthermore, its range extends to Nigeria within the same tropical zone. Finally, the plant can also be found growing in Sierra Leone.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Psophocarpus tetragonolobus is characterized by its high adaptability to anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica), where it frequently thrives in environments modified by human activity. This species commonly colonizes disturbed sites, such as agricultural fields, garden margins, and secondary growth zones near human settlements, where soil nutrients are often supplemented by cultivation practices. Its ability to flourish in these man-made landscapes suggests a robust ecological strategy that allows it to exploit disturbed niches that might otherwise be less stable for native flora. By integrating into these human-influenced habitats, the plant utilizes available resources to establish itself, often benefiting from the altered soil compositions and microclimates typical of settled territories.

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Life history

The life history of Psophocarpus tetragonolobus is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, though its growth patterns can exhibit variable qualities depending on environmental conditions and cultivation practices. While it is often managed in agricultural settings as an annual or biennial crop to maximize harvest cycles, its biological nature allows it to persist through multiple growing seasons. The plant begins its life cycle through seed germination, progressing into a vigorous climbing vine stage where it utilizes tendrils to ascend supporting structures. Throughout its life, it undergoes a continuous cycle of vegetative growth and reproductive phases, producing flowering clusters that eventually develop into characteristic elongated pods. This perennial capability ensures a resilient life history, allowing the plant to potentially re-sprout or extend its productive lifespan if the necessary climatic and soil conditions are sustained.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Psophocarpus tetragonolobus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb that functions as an obligatory climbing liana. This terrestrial plant, which is neither an epiphyte nor a parasite, grows independently and can reach a mean plant height of approximately 2.5 m. As a climbing herb, it lacks self-supporting woody structures, instead relying on its vine-like nature to ascend.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

2.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Psophocarpus tetragonolobus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and energy production through the Calvin cycle. A defining physiological feature of this plant is its capacity as a nitrogen fixer, as it engages in a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria within its root nodules to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a bioavailable form. This biological nitrogen fixation enhances its nutrient uptake efficiency and supports its overall metabolic growth and development.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Psophocarpus tetragonolobus is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily facilitated by insects, with a specific emphasis on bee activity. The plant is capable of self-fertilization, which ensures reproductive success through both autonomous and pollinator-assisted mechanisms. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces seeds that exhibit specific morphological characteristics regarding their weight; the seed mass typically ranges from a minimum of 0.3333 g to a maximum of 0.375 g, with an average seed mass of approximately 0.35415 g.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.375 g

Seed mass mean:

0.35415 g

Seed mass min:

0.3333 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Psophocarpus tetragonolobus has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, seed.

Root

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Seed

1. FEBS letters

Chemicals

Psophocarpus tetragonolobus has 106 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include PHOSPHORUS, lysine, oil, tryptophan, Behenic acid.

PHOSPHORUS

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology
3. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition

lysine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
3. Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology

oil

1. Archivos latinoamericanos de nutricion
2. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition
3. International journal of food sciences and nutrition

tryptophan

1. Dr. Duke
2. The Journal of biological chemistry
3. International journal of peptide and protein research

Behenic acid

1. Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology
2. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology

ERUCIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology

FAT

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology

GLUTAMIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology

IRON

1. Dr. Duke
2. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition

Activities

Psophocarpus tetragonolobus has 371 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antinociceptive, Cytotoxic, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor.

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antinociceptive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Adjuvant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Psophocarpus tetragonolobus has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Protein calorie malnutrition, colon cancer, hyperglycemia, hypertension, type 2 diabetes.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations