Description

• Mucuna pruriens, commonly known as velvet bean, cowitch, or cowhage, is a vigorous climbing vine in the legume family (Fabaceae). It has long, twining stems and large, trifoliate leaves with broad, oval leaflets. The flowers are typically dark purple, violet, or creamy white and grow in hanging clusters. Its fruits are curved, bean-like pods covered with dense, velvety hairs. These hairs are intensely irritating to human skin and can cause severe itching when touched, so the pods should be handled with care. The mature pods contain several hard seeds.

Range

• Mucuna pruriens is native to tropical regions of Africa and Asia, although its original distribution has been influenced by long-term cultivation and dispersal. It has been introduced and naturalized in many tropical regions worldwide, including the Americas. It is established in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, and the surrounding area.

Habitat

• This species grows in warm, humid to seasonally dry tropical environments, including forest edges, thickets, secondary woodland, roadsides, and disturbed areas. It climbs over shrubs and trees, using its twining stems to reach sunlight. It grows vigorously during warm, rainy periods and can form dense vegetation where suitable supports and moisture are available.