Mucuna pruriens

Characteristics

Dicots
FABACEAE
Mucuna
Mucuna pruriens (L.)DC.
COWITCH; VELVETBEAN
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**
This plant is notable for producing irritating hairs on its fruits, containing serotonin (a neurotransmitter) (Bowden et al. 1954) and mucanain (a cysteine protease) (Papoiu et al. 2011). However, some plants do not produce the irritants (Hammerton 2003). Both the non-irritating and irritating forms can be found in Florida .
Not Native
View details of Herbarium specimens
** Not applicable or data not available.

Classification

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FABALES
FABACEAE
Mucuna
Mucuna pruriens (L.)DC. - COWITCH; VELVETBEAN

Citation

MUCUNA PRURIENS (Linnaeus) de Candolle, Prodr. 2: 405. 1825.
Dolichos pruriens Linnaeus 1759.
INDONESIA: Ambon Island, without data (lectotype: Rumphius, Herb. Amboin. 5: t. 142. 1747). Lectotypified by Merrill, Interpr. Rumph. Herb. Amb. 33, 277. 1917.
** Not applicable or data not available.

Species Distribution Map

Plant Photos

Mucuna pruriens - 229
Mucuna pruriens - Patricia Howell View Full Size
Mucuna pruriens - 139
Mucuna pruriens - John R. Park View Full Size
Mucuna pruriens - 5
Mucuna pruriens - Alan R. Franck View Full Size
Mucuna pruriens - 5
Mucuna pruriens - Alan R. Franck View Full Size
Mucuna pruriens - 5
Mucuna pruriens - Alan R. Franck View Full Size