Practical
Plants

Amphicarpaea edgeworthii

a perennial member of the Amphicarpaea genus in the family Leguminosae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.5 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed and seedpods - cooked[6][8][1][2]. The seedpods are harvested when green and used for food[3].

Plant part
Seed
Plant part
Seedpod

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Japan, Himalayas
Habitat
Woods and shaded places in lowland all over Japan.
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in spring in a semi-shaded position in a greenhouse. Germination usually takes place within a few weeks. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter, planting them out in late spring or early summer. Division. We have been unable to divide this plant because it only makes a small taproot. However, many of the seeds are produced under the ground and these can be harvested like tubers and potted up to make more plants.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. There is some confusion over the correct name for this species, we have followed the treatment given in 'Flora of Japan'[7], but A. japonica is the name cited in 'Legumes of Northern Eurasia'[5]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Requires a moist humus-rich soil in a shady position[4]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[4].

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  2. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  3. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

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  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

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  5. Yakovlev. G. Sytin. A. & Roskov. Yu. Legumes of Northern Eurasia Royal Botanic gardens, Kew. 1996-00-00 ISBN 0-947643-97-4

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  6. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  7. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

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  8. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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