Macrotyloma geocarpum

The Erdbohne ( Macrotyloma geocarpum ), also called Kandelabohne, is a species of the genus ( Macrotyloma ) in the subfamily Fabaceae ( Faboideae ) within the legume family ( Fabaceae ). This crop is closely related to a number of other " beans " called crops, particularly the Indian Broad Bean ( Macrotyloma uniflorum ). The Erdbohne has its origin probably, usually for their own consumption, grown in the savannas of West Africa and is more rare.

Description and ecology

Macrotyloma geocarpum grows as annual herbaceous plant, reaching heights of growth 25 to 30 centimeters. A few days after sowing is done epigeal germination. It is formed a strong taproot. The hairy stems can independently grow upright or spread decumbent far as so-called "runner types." Procumbent stems form many roots including root nodules are present at the nodes ( more nodes ).

Quick fall off the cotyledons ( cotyledons ) and there are one or two pairs of lanceolate primary leaves formed. The change-constant arranged leaves are divided petiole and leaf blade. The relatively long petioles stand upright. The unpaired pinnate leaf blades have only three leaflets. The leaflets are ovate to lanceolate.

Just four to six weeks after sowing, the first small inflorescences are formed in the leaf axils. The more or less hairy inflorescence stem ends in a thickening. In an inflorescence only two short -stalked flowers are borne. The hermaphrodite flowers are zygomorphic and fünfzählig double perianth. The five sepals are fused together into a short sowwie broad calyx, terminating in five unequal calyx teeth. The five petals are bright yellow or ivory. The hairy on the inside at the top of style ends pointed and the scar is located on the side under its pointed end. There is self-fertilization and about two days after that, the flower stalks extend geotropic to the ovary reaches the ground and penetrates 1 to 2 inches into the soil down.

Above ground lying legumes remain long green. Under deer legumes are of paler color and remain to maturity parchment-like thin. The fruits ripen in the soil, so it is a geocarpic = bodenfrüchtige legume, such as the peanut ( Arachis hypogaea ) or the Bambara groundnut ( Vigna subterranea ), therefore geocarpum the trivial names such as Erdbohne and the specific epithet. The underground, thin-shelled, pale legumes consist of two to three units or segments and are 1.5 to 3.0 inches long. In each segment, a seed is included, so should be in each legume two to three seeds. The seeds are 2-3 mm beany flattened to ovoid and slightly at a length of 8 to 12 mm, a width of 4-7 mm and a thickness. The seed coat is solid white to brown or black or speckled. The sunken punctate navel is bright and surrounded by a triangular dark colored stain. The thousand grain weight is between 50 and 150 g Approximately six to nine weeks after fertilization takes place the seeds ripen.

The chromosome number is 2n = 20

Use

The Erdbohne is a subtropical plant with high temperature and water requirements.

The Erdbohne is considered palatable and is often harvested in immature form. The protein content of the seeds (20 percent) is relatively high, with only a low fat content ( less than 2 percent).

The seeds are eaten green or when ripe. Because of their pleasant taste the Erdbohne is preferred in some areas compared to the peanut or Bambara groundnut. The ripe seeds are often peeled in a wooden mortar from the legumes and purified by windsifters the grain. Undamaged grains can be mixed with wood ashes over two years to be stored. Cooked green or ripe seeds are eaten as porridge. There the seed is ground flour, which is used for preparation of pastries and other dishes. The seeds of the Erdbohne are roasted with salt.

The Erdbohne has a good nutritional value with high protein content. If the mother has died receive the children of Sisaala in Ghana during the mourning period the Erdbohne as the only food.

The Erdbohne is used in folk medicine. A decoction of the seeds is used against diarrhea. As an emetic in cases of poisoning are crushed seeds with water or local beer mixed.

All plant parts can be used as cattle feed, are grazed for example on the field.

Distribution, origin and hazard

The area of ​​origin of Erdbohne is located in the wet-dry to semi-arid savannah regions of West Africa. The cultivation takes place almost from Senegal to northern Nigeria instead, with an emphasis in northern Ghana. From a cultivation in Madagascar is reporting. However, it is generally determine the cultivation goes back and is operated mainly for domestic consumption.

Seeds occurring in Cameroon and the Central African Republic wild form were collected in 2010 and stored by the Millennium Seed Bank Project with the " ex situ conservation " method. The location of the specimens collected is dry Baimsavanne with Combretum, boswellia and Gardenia species. The current area is greater than 20,000 km ². In the Red List of Threatened Species IUCN Macrotyloma geocarpum is considered "Least Concern" = " not at risk " because the stocks are stable.

System

The first description was in 1908 by Hermann August Theodor Harms under the name ( basionym ) Kerstingiella geocarpa reports in the German Botanical Society, Volume 26 A, p 230, Table 3 recombination to Macrotyloma geocarpum ( Harms ) Maréchal & Baudet in 1977 by Robert published Joseph Jean- Marie Maréchal and Jean C. Baudet in Bulletin du Jardin Botanique National de Belgique, Volume 47, 1-2, page 50.

Maréchal & Baudet published in 1977 two varieties:

• Macrotyloma geocarpum ( Harms ) Maréchal & Baudet var geocarpum
• Macrotyloma geocarpum var tisserantii ( Pellegr. ) Maréchal & Baudet ( Syn: Kerstingiella tisserantii Pellegr. )