Glycine soja
Wild Soya Bean
an annual member of the Glycine genus in the family Leguminosae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Leguminosae
- Genus
- Glycine
- Life cycle
- annual
- Height
- 0.6 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The raw mature seed is toxic and must be thoroughly cooked before being eaten[21]. The sprouted raw seed is sometimes eaten and is considered to be a wholesome food.
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Mature seed - cooked[10][15]. Very rich in protein, the seeds can be eaten as they are in soups, stews etc[9], though they are very commonly used in the preparation of various meat substitutes[16][18]. The dried seed can be ground into a flour and added to cereal flours or used for making noodles etc[9]. The Japanese make a powder from the roasted and ground seed, it is called 'Kinako' and has a nutty flavour and fragrance - it is used in many popular confections[9]. The sprouted seed is eaten raw or added to cooked dishes. The toasted seeds can be eaten as a peanut-like snack[9]. The seed is also made into numerous fermented foods such as miso and tempeh[9] and is also used to make soya milk, used in place of cow's milk. The seed contains 20% oil and 30 - 45% protein[2]. The immature seed is cooked and used like peas or eaten raw in salads[3][9]. The strongly roasted and ground seeds are used as a coffee substitute[9]. The young seedpods are cooked and used like French beans[4][9]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed. It is cooked or used as a dressing in salads etc[16][9]. Young leaves - raw or cooked[8][9].
- Product or use
- Coffee
- Product or use
- Milk
- Product or use
- Oil
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Plant part
- Seed
- Plant part
- Seedpod
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The fermented seed is weakly diaphoretic and stomachic[7]. It is used in the treatment of colds, fevers and headaches, insomnia, irritability and a stuffy sensation in the chest[7]. The bruised leaves are applied to snakebite[13]. The flowers are used in the treatment of blindness and opacity of the cornea[13]. The ashes of the stems are applied to granular haemorrhoids or fungus growths on the anus[13]. The immature seedpods are chewed to a pulp and applied to corneal and smallpox ulcers[13]. The seed is antidote[13]. It is considered to be specific for the healthy functioning of bowels, heart, kidney, liver and stomach[13]. The seed sprouts are constructive, laxative and resolvent[13]. They are used in the treatment of oedema, dysuria, chest fullness, decreased perspiration, the initial stages of flu and arthralgia[7]. A decoction of the bark is astringent[14].
- Product or use
- Antidote
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Diaphoretic
- Product or use
- Laxative
- Product or use
- Ophthalmic
- Product or use
- Resolvent
- Product or use
- Stomachic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The seed contains up to 20% of an edible semi-drying oil[6]. It is non-drying according to another report[19]. This oil has a very wide range of applications and is commonly used in the chemical industry[6][12]. It is used in making soap, plastics, paints etc[16][18][2].
- Product or use
- Oil
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - China.
- Habitat
- Lowland thickets, C. and S. Japan[20].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in early spring in a greenhouse. The seed should germinate within two weeks at a temperature between 12 - 16°c[12]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Seed can also be pre-soaked for 12 hours in warm water and then sown in situ in late spring, though this will not yield well unless the summer is very hot.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a rich soil and a sunny position[15][17]. Prefers a well-drained sandy soil[1]. Prefers a slightly acid soil[11][12]. Does not grow well in a wet climate[5]. This is the wild ancestor of the cultivated soya bean and is of potential value as a genetic resource, especially when trying to breed for increased yields. 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[11]. Seed can be purchased that has been treated with this rhizobium, it is unnecessary on soils with a pH below 5.5 but can be helpful on other soils[12]. When removing plant remains at the end of the growing season, it is best to only remove the aerial parts of the plant, leaving the roots in the ground to decay and release their nitrogen.
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Brooklyn Botanic Garden Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden 1986-00-00
Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth.
Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00
Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00
Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Larkcom J. Oriental Vegetables John Murray 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-4781-4
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00
Organ. J. Rare Vegetables for Garden and Table. Faber 1960-00-00
Harrison. S. Wallis. M. Masefield. G. The Oxford Book of Food Plants. Oxford University Press 1975-00-00
Simmons A. E. Simmons' Manual of Fruit. David & Charles. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-7607-1
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.
Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00
Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO 1984-00-00 ISBN 0112425291