Flemingia strobilifera
Species of legume
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Flemingia strobilifera, commonly known as the luck plant or wild hops, is a perennial flowering plant in the legume family, Fabaceae, and subfamily Faboideae. It is native to South, East and Southeast Asia.
| Flemingia strobilifera | |
|---|---|
| |
| Green bracts of inflorescence | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Flemingia |
| Species: | F. strobilifera |
| Binomial name | |
| Flemingia strobilifera | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Range
Description
The erect, perennial shrub grows 1.5 m to 2 m tall.[3] The leaves are ovate to oblong with pinnate venation and wavy margins. It flowers from October to December.[4] Each small, white pea-shaped flower is enclosed by a pair of reniform flower bracts. The alternating bracts are arranged in 2 files along the raceme, and eventually turn papery as they dry out. The small, cylindrical pods release their tiny black and red seeds by explosive dehiscence.[3]
Uses
In many parts of the Indian subcontinent it is used as a traditional medicine to treat epilepsy, hysteria and fever.[3][4] It is an essential part of the Bihu (গৰু বিহু) festival, during which the cattle are washed and gently beaten with twigs of this plant.[5] It is known as makhiyoti (মাখিয়তী) in the north-eastern Indian state of Assam.
Ecology
The species is invasive in New Caledonia.[6] In Panama it is an invasive plant species.[7]
Gallery
Green inflorescences
Papilionaceous flowers emerging from bracts
The persistent, papery bracts on inflorescence
Dry bracts, dehiscent brown pod and seed
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