Cow Itch

Mucuna pruriens

IMPORTANT: IF YOU SUSPECT THE PRESENCE OF THIS PLANT, PLEASE REPORT IT BY CALLING 1800 084 881 (local call cost anywhere in Australia) or REPORT IT ONLINE.

Alternative Name(s): Stizolobium pruriens, Velvet Bean, Bengal Bean.

Family: Fabaceae.

Form: Vine

Origin: Native of Africa and tropical Asia.

Flowers/Seedhead: Flowers vary from white to dark purple but are mostly purple. Flowers summer.

Description: Annual or short-lived perennial vine that may climb to the top of supporting trees. Leaf stalk 10–30 cm long. Seedpod ripening dark brown to blackish, 1–1.5 cm wide, mostly with 5 or 6 seeds. Seeds brown and mottled black, flattened ovoid, about 10 mm long and about 6 mm wide.

Distinguishing features: Distinguished by trailing or twining habit; leaves with three leaflets; leaflets ovate to oblong 5–15 cm long, 3.5–12 cm wide, hairy on both surfaces, the central leaflet on a longer stalk than the other two, basal leaflets divided asymmetrically by the mid vein; flowers pea-like in axillary racemes 2–28 cm long, flowers mostly purple, 3.5–4 cm long; seedpod flattened, 4–10 cm long, with brown to orange hairs, most varieties with detachable irritating hairs.

Dispersal: Spread by seed.