Fabaceae
Vigna membranacea subsp. hapalantha
H
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
This annual to perennial climbing or trailing herb, occasionally suberect, can produce stems 20-300 cm long. Native to a range spanning Eritrea to Tanzania and the SW Arabian Peninsula, including Kenya, it typically features trifoliate leaves. It produces pea-like flowers and is commonly found in seasonally dry tropical biomes, coastal mixed bushland, and grasslands.
Where it works in Kilifi
Well-suited for a Kilifi-coast garden, this plant thrives in full sun, reflecting its natural habitat in coastal bushland and grasslands. It can be utilised as a groundcover, for soil stabilisation, or as a climbing plant in restoration areas. As a nitrogen-fixing legume, it enriches the soil, benefiting nearby plants.
Growing notes
As an annual to perennial herb, this species is expected to be relatively drought-tolerant once established, suiting the seasonally dry tropical conditions of the region. No specific hazards are currently known.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: kew.org, theferns.info, nordic-baltic-genebanks.org, wikipedia.org. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.