Pueraria montana - Useful Tropical Plants (2024)

(Lour.) Merr.

Fabaceae

There has been considereable confusion in the past over the correct naming of this species, with many authorities using the name Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi as the correct name and Pueraria montana (Lour.) Merr., as a form of that species. Opinion is now generally reversed and Pueraria lobata is now commonly seen as a form of Pueraria montana, as Pueraria montana lobata (Willd.) Sanjappa & Pradeep[

Title: Plants for a Future
Author: Ken Fern
Description: Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

+ Synonyms

Bujacia anonychia E. Mey.

Dolichos grandiflorus Wall.

Dolichos grandifolius Wall.

Dolichos hirsutus Thunb.

Dolichos japonicus hort.

Dolichos lobatus Willd.

Dolichos montanus Lour.

Dolichos trilobus Lour.

Glycine javanica L.

Glycine moniliforme Hochst. ex A. Rich.

Neustanthus chinensis Benth.

Pachyrhizus montanus (Lour.) DC.

Pachyrhizus thunbergianus Siebold & Zucc.

Pachyrhizus trilobus DC.

Phaseolus trilobus (L.) Aiton

Pueraria argyi H.Lev. & Vaniot

Pueraria bodinieri H.Lev. & Vaniot

Pueraria caerulea H.Lev. & Vaniot

Pueraria chinensis Ohwi

Pueraria harmsii Rech.

Pueraria hirsuta (Thunb.) Matsum.

Pueraria koten H.Lev. & Vaniot

Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi.

Pueraria neo-caledonica Harms

Pueraria novo-guineensis Warb.

Pueraria omeiensis T.Tang & Wang

Pueraria pseudohirsuta T.Tang & Wang

Pueraria thomsonii Benth.

Pueraria thunbergiana (Siebold & Zucc.) Benth.

Pueraria tonkinensis Gagnep.

Pueraria triloba (Houtt.) Makino

Pueraria triloba sensu auct.

Pueraria volkensii Hosok.

Stizolobium montanum (Lour.) Spreng.

Zeydora agrestis Gomes

Common Name: Kudzu Vine

The tuberous root of var lobata
Photograph by: Forest and Kim Starr

Flowering stem (var lobata)
Photograph by: Matt Lavin

Close-up of the flowers (var lobata)
Photograph by: Matt Lavin

The plant often escapes from cultivation - it is seen here spreading to cover large areas of land
Photograph by: NatureServe

The plant can completely smother and kill even quite tall trees
Photograph by: BlueRidgeKitties

Flowers
Photograph by: DM

Roots for sale in the market
Photograph by: Genmewcaugsa

A kudzu basket made in the Applachian Oriole style by basketmaker Matt Tommey.
Photograph by: Mjtommey

Developing seedpods
Photograph by: Pollinator

General Information

Pueraria montana is a vigorous, perennial climbing plant producing annual, twining stems from a large, tuberous rootstock that can be up to 2 metres long and 45cm in diameter. The stems can reach 15 - 30 metres or more in length and are up to 10cm in diameter, becoming woody at the base. They scramble over the ground, producing new roots where stem nodes touch the soil and often forming dense carpets over the ground. They also climb high into any trees or shrubs around them and can completely smother forest trees[

266

Title: Flora of China
Publication
Author
Website: http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher: Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year: 1994
ISBN
Description: An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.

303

Title: World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
Author
Website: http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
Year: 0
ISBN
Description: An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.

418

Title: Ecocrop
Publication
Author
Website: http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
Publisher
Year: 0
ISBN
Description: Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.

1093

Title: Invasive Species Compendium
Publication
Author
Website: http://www.cabi.org
Publisher
Year: 0
ISBN
Description: An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).

].
A very useful plant, supplying food, medicines and fibre, as well as being grown in soil conservation projects. It was at one time very widely grown for its edible root and useful fibre, especially in east and southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands[

317

Title: Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants
Publication
Author
Website: http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336
Publisher
Year: 0
ISBN
Description: Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.

]. It is reputed to be the oldest fibre crop in China and Japan, being mentioned in documents over 2,000 years ago[

317

Title: Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants
Publication
Author
Website: http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336
Publisher
Year: 0
ISBN
Description: Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.

]. Nowadays it has mostly lost its former importance, cultivation has been abandoned (e.g. In Pacific Islands.) or reduced to a relic state[

317

Title: Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants
Publication
Author
Website: http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336
Publisher
Year: 0
ISBN
Description: Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.

]. Cultivation, however, is still practised considerably in the highlands of New Guinea, New Caledonia, northern Philippines and in Japan.

Known Hazards

Although no specific mention has been found for this species, the leaves of the closely related Pueraria hirsuta (which might be no more than a synonym for this species) have barbed hairs and these can cause severe irritation[

151

Title: Corean Flora.
Publication
Author: Wilson. E. H. and Trollope. M. N.
Publisher: Royal Asiatic Society
Year: 1918
ISBN: -
Description: A very small handbook, it does give a little bit of information on Korean plants.

Botanical References

Title: Flora of Japan. (English translation)
Publication
Author: Ohwi. G.
Publisher: Smithsonian Institution
Year: 1965
ISBN: -
Description: The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.

Range

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines. New Guinea,th the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

Habitat

Thickets and thin woods all over Japan[

Title: Flora of Japan. (English translation)
Publication
Author: Ohwi. G.
Publisher: Smithsonian Institution
Year: 1965
ISBN: -
Description: The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.

]. Thickets, forests, on dry slopes or in moist places, in sandy or loamy soils, valleys, roadsides, open pastures, hedges, river sides, swamps; at elevations up to 1,500 metres[

1577

Title: Revision of the Genus Pueraria DC., with some notes on Teyleria Backer
Publication: Agricultural University Wageningen Papers 85-1, 1985
Author: Ven der Maesen L.J.G.
Publisher: Agricultural University,Wageningen,theNetherlands
Year: 1985
ISBN: 90-6754-066-8
Description

]..

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial Climber
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Kudzu vine can be grown in a wide range of climates from milder areas in the temperate zone to the subtropics and higher elevations in the tropics. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 28°c, but can tolerate 9 - 32°c[

418

Title: Ecocrop
Publication
Author
Website: http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
Publisher
Year: 0
ISBN
Description: Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.

]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -6°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at -1°c[

418

Title: Ecocrop
Publication
Author
Website: http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
Publisher
Year: 0
ISBN
Description: Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.

]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c, they can resprout from the base if they are cut down by frosts[

200

Title: The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
Author: Huxley. A.
Publisher: MacMillan Press
Year: 1992
ISBN: 0-333-47494-5
Description: Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,200 - 1,400mm, but tolerates 950 - 2,200mm[

418

Title: Ecocrop
Publication
Author
Website: http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
Publisher
Year: 0
ISBN
Description: Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.

].
Succeeds in most well-drained soils in a sunny position[

200

Title: The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
Author: Huxley. A.
Publisher: MacMillan Press
Year: 1992
ISBN: 0-333-47494-5
Description: Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

], though it does not make good growth on very light poor sand or on poorly drained heavy clay[

269

Title: Handbook of Energy Crops
Publication
Author: Duke. J.
Website: https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/dukeindex.html
Publisher: -
Year: 1983
ISBN: -
Description: Published only on the Internet, excellent information on a wide range of both temperate and tropical plants.

]. Grows best on well-drained loam soil of good fertility[

269

Title: Handbook of Energy Crops
Publication
Author: Duke. J.
Website: https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/dukeindex.html
Publisher: -
Year: 1983
ISBN: -
Description: Published only on the Internet, excellent information on a wide range of both temperate and tropical plants.

]. Plants cannot stand waterlogging on any soil[

269

Title: Handbook of Energy Crops
Publication
Author: Duke. J.
Website: https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/dukeindex.html
Publisher: -
Year: 1983
ISBN: -
Description: Published only on the Internet, excellent information on a wide range of both temperate and tropical plants.

]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 5 - 7.1[

269

Title: Handbook of Energy Crops
Publication
Author: Duke. J.
Website: https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/dukeindex.html
Publisher: -
Year: 1983
ISBN: -
Description: Published only on the Internet, excellent information on a wide range of both temperate and tropical plants.

418

Title: Ecocrop
Publication
Author
Website: http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
Publisher
Year: 0
ISBN
Description: Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.

]. A deep-rooted pant, once established it is very drought resistant[

171

Title: Economic Botany.
Publication
Author: Hill. A. F.
Publisher: The Maple Press
Year: 1952
ISBN: -
Description: Not very comprehensive, but it is quite readable and goes into some detail about the plants it does cover.

269

Title: Handbook of Energy Crops
Publication
Author: Duke. J.
Website: https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/dukeindex.html
Publisher: -
Year: 1983
ISBN: -
Description: Published only on the Internet, excellent information on a wide range of both temperate and tropical plants.

].
When grown in warm climates, the root can be invasive and plants have become weeds[

182

Title: Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos.
Publication
Author: Thomas. G. S.
Publisher: Murray
Year: 1992
ISBN: 0-7195-5043-2
Description: Contains a wide range of plants with a brief description, mainly of their ornamental value but also usually of cultivation details and varieties.

219

Title: Gardening on Walls
Publication
Author: Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V.
Publisher: Collins
Year: 1983
ISBN: 0-00-219220-0
Description: A nice little book about plants for growing against walls and a small section on plants that can grow in walls.

]. Introduced into the southern N. American states in 1876 as a soil stabilizer, the var lobata has spread very widely (it can grow up to 30cm in a day), and has swamped out native vegetation, including large trees. It is considered to be one of the most obnoxious weeds in that region[

274

Title: Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas
Publication
Author: Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J
Website: http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm
Publisher: Botanical Research Institute, Texas.
Year: 1999
ISBN: 1-889878-01-4
Description: An excellent flora, which is also available on-line.

].
The tubers can be harvested about 1 year after planting, if grown from cuttings. If left longer in the soil they can become very large, with weights of up to 180 kilos[

303

Title: World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
Author
Website: http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
Year: 0
ISBN
Description: An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.

].
Pueraria montana has three varieties, all of which can be used more or less interchangeably:-
Pueraria montana montana. This form has the smallest flowers.
Pueraria montana lobata (Willd.) Maesen & S.M.Almeida ex Sanjappa & Predeep. This is the form most commonly cultivated outside its native range. It has become an extremely invasive weed in southeastern USA, though it has not yet become invasive elsewhere[

1093

Title: Invasive Species Compendium
Publication
Author
Website: http://www.cabi.org
Publisher
Year: 0
ISBN
Description: An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).

]. It is also the form most commonly mentioned for its medicinal and other uses.
Pueraria montana thomsonii (Benth.) M.R.Almeida. This form has the largest flowers.
The flowers have a sweet vanilla scent[

245

Title: Scented Flora of the World.
Publication
Author: Genders. R.
Publisher: Robert Hale. London.
Year: 1994
ISBN: 0-7090-5440-8
Description: An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[

200

Title: The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
Author: Huxley. A.
Publisher: MacMillan Press
Year: 1992
ISBN: 0-333-47494-5
Description: Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

Edible Uses

Root - cooked[

105

Title: Tanaka's Cyclopedia of Edible Plants of the World.
Publication
Author: Tanaka. T. & Nakao S.
Publisher: Keigaku Publishing; Tokyo
Year: 1976
ISBN: -
Description: The most comprehensive list of edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.

171

Title: Economic Botany.
Publication
Author: Hill. A. F.
Publisher: The Maple Press
Year: 1952
ISBN: -
Description: Not very comprehensive, but it is quite readable and goes into some detail about the plants it does cover.

]. Rich in starch[

109

Title: Plantae Wilsonae. Vol 1 - 3
Publication
Author: Wilson. E. H.
Website: http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher: University Press; Cambridge.
Year: 1911 - 1917
ISBN
Description: Details of the palnts collected by the plant collector E. H. Wilson on his travels in China. Gives some habitats. Not for the casual reader. It can be downloaded from the internet.

]. The root can be up to 1.8 metres long[

174

Title: Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
Publication
Author: Kariyone. T.
Publisher: Nihon Rinshosha; Osaka
Year: 1973
ISBN
Description: A good Japanese herbal.

] and has been known to weigh 35 kilos or more[

269

Title: Handbook of Energy Crops
Publication
Author: Duke. J.
Website: https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/dukeindex.html
Publisher: -
Year: 1983
ISBN: -
Description: Published only on the Internet, excellent information on a wide range of both temperate and tropical plants.

]. One report is of a mature tuber weighing 180 kilos[

1577

Title: Revision of the Genus Pueraria DC., with some notes on Teyleria Backer
Publication: Agricultural University Wageningen Papers 85-1, 1985
Author: Ven der Maesen L.J.G.
Publisher: Agricultural University,Wageningen,theNetherlands
Year: 1985
ISBN: 90-6754-066-8
Description

]. The root contains about 10% of a fine quality starch - this can be extracted and used as a crispy coating in deep fried foods, or as a thickening agent in soups etc[

174

Title: Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
Publication
Author: Kariyone. T.
Publisher: Nihon Rinshosha; Osaka
Year: 1973
ISBN
Description: A good Japanese herbal.

183

Title: Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
Publication
Author: Facciola. S.
Publisher: Kampong Publications
Year: 1990
ISBN: 0-9628087-0-9
Description: Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

303

Title: World Agroforesty Centre
Publication
Author
Website: http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
Publisher
Year: 0
ISBN
Description: An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.

]. It can also be made into noodles, or like agar or gelatine is used as a gelling agent for salads[

183

Title: Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
Publication
Author: Facciola. S.
Publisher: Kampong Publications
Year: 1990
ISBN: 0-9628087-0-9
Description: Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

]. The roots are a staple food in Japan, the peeled root contains about 2.1% protein, 0.1% fat, 27.1% carbohydrate, 1.4% ash[

179

Title: Famine Foods listed in the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao.
Publication
Author: Reid. B. E.
Publisher: Southern Materials Centre; Taipei
Year: 1977
ISBN: -
Description: A translation of an ancient Chinese book on edible wild foods. Fascinating.

]. The starch of the roots contains (per 100 g) 340 calories, 16.5 percent moisture, 0.2 g protein, 0.1 g fat, 83.1 g total carbohydrate, 0.1 g ash, 35 mg Ca, 18 mg P, 2.0 mg Fe, and 2 mg Na[

269

Title: Handbook of Energy Crops
Publication
Author: Duke. J.
Website: https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/dukeindex.html
Publisher: -
Year: 1983
ISBN: -
Description: Published only on the Internet, excellent information on a wide range of both temperate and tropical plants.

]. A nutritional analysis for the whole root is available.

Flowers - cooked or made into pickles[

183

Title: Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
Publication
Author: Facciola. S.
Publisher: Kampong Publications
Year: 1990
ISBN: 0-9628087-0-9
Description: Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

]. Eaten as a vegetable[

1577

Title: Revision of the Genus Pueraria DC., with some notes on Teyleria Backer
Publication: Agricultural University Wageningen Papers 85-1, 1985
Author: Ven der Maesen L.J.G.
Publisher: Agricultural University,Wageningen,theNetherlands
Year: 1985
ISBN: 90-6754-066-8
Description

Stems and young leaves - raw or cooked[

105

Title: Tanaka's Cyclopedia of Edible Plants of the World.
Publication
Author: Tanaka. T. & Nakao S.
Publisher: Keigaku Publishing; Tokyo
Year: 1976
ISBN: -
Description: The most comprehensive list of edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.

]. Eaten as a vegetable[

1577

Title: Revision of the Genus Pueraria DC., with some notes on Teyleria Backer
Publication: Agricultural University Wageningen Papers 85-1, 1985
Author: Ven der Maesen L.J.G.
Publisher: Agricultural University,Wageningen,theNetherlands
Year: 1985
ISBN: 90-6754-066-8
Description

]. A very nutritious food, the fresh young shoots taste like a cross between a bean and a pea[

183

Title: Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
Publication
Author: Facciola. S.
Publisher: Kampong Publications
Year: 1990
ISBN: 0-9628087-0-9
Description: Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

]. The cooked leaves contain (per 100 g) 36 calories, 89.0 percent moisture, 0.4 g protein, 0.1 g fat, 9.7 g total carbohydrate. 7.7 g fibre, 0.8 fat, 34 mg Ca, 20 mg P, 4.9 mg Fe, 0.03 mg thiamine, 0.91 mg riboflavin, 0.8 mg niacin[

269

Title: Handbook of Energy Crops
Publication
Author: Duke. J.
Website: https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/dukeindex.html
Publisher: -
Year: 1983
ISBN: -
Description: Published only on the Internet, excellent information on a wide range of both temperate and tropical plants.

Medicinal

The kudzu vine, known as Ge Gen in China, is commonly used in oriental herbalism, and is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs in Chinese herbalism[

218

Title: Medicinal Plants of China
Publication
Author: Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S.
Publisher: Reference Publications, Inc.
Year: 1985
ISBN: 0-917256-20-4
Description: Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

]. All parts of the plant are used medicinally, particularly the starch-rich root. Kudzu starch is used to restore the health, acting by alkalinizing the bloodstream and fighting intestinal and digestive disorders. The starch is then mainly taken in soups or teas. As a diet food it is soothing, nutritious and easy to digest[

1577

Title: Revision of the Genus Pueraria DC., with some notes on Teyleria Backer
Publication: Agricultural University Wageningen Papers 85-1, 1985
Author: Ven der Maesen L.J.G.
Publisher: Agricultural University,Wageningen,theNetherlands
Year: 1985
ISBN: 90-6754-066-8
Description

The flowers and the roots are antidote, antiemetic, antipyretic, antispasmodic, demulcent, diaphoretic, digestive, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic and hypotensive[

174

Title: Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
Publication
Author: Kariyone. T.
Publisher: Nihon Rinshosha; Osaka
Year: 1973
ISBN
Description: A good Japanese herbal.

176

Title: Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas.
Publication
Author: Yeung. Him-Che.
Publisher: Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles
Year: 1985
ISBN: -
Description: An excellent Chinese herbal giving information on over 500 species. Rather technical and probably best suited to the more accomplished user of herbs.

218

Title: Medicinal Plants of China
Publication
Author: Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S.
Publisher: Reference Publications, Inc.
Year: 1985
ISBN: 0-917256-20-4
Description: Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

222

Title: A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America.
Publication
Author: Foster. S. & Duke. J. A.
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Co.
Year: 1990
ISBN: 0395467225
Description: A concise book dealing with almost 500 species. A line drawing of each plant is included plus colour photographs of about 100 species. Very good as a field guide, it only gives brief details about the plants medicinal properties.

238

Title: Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
Publication
Author: Bown. D.
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley, London.
Year: 1995
ISBN: 0-7513-020-31
Description: A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

]. A decoction of the flowers and tubers is used to treat alcoholism, fever, colds, diarrhoea, dysentery, acute intestinal obstruction etc[

174

Title: Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
Publication
Author: Kariyone. T.
Publisher: Nihon Rinshosha; Osaka
Year: 1973
ISBN
Description: A good Japanese herbal.

176

Title: Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas.
Publication
Author: Yeung. Him-Che.
Publisher: Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles
Year: 1985
ISBN: -
Description: An excellent Chinese herbal giving information on over 500 species. Rather technical and probably best suited to the more accomplished user of herbs.

218

Title: Medicinal Plants of China
Publication
Author: Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S.
Publisher: Reference Publications, Inc.
Year: 1985
ISBN: 0-917256-20-4
Description: Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

222

Title: A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America.
Publication
Author: Foster. S. & Duke. J. A.
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Co.
Year: 1990
ISBN: 0395467225
Description: A concise book dealing with almost 500 species. A line drawing of each plant is included plus colour photographs of about 100 species. Very good as a field guide, it only gives brief details about the plants medicinal properties.

]. It is useful in the treatment of angina pectoris and migraine[

218

Title: Medicinal Plants of China
Publication
Author: Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S.
Publisher: Reference Publications, Inc.
Year: 1985
ISBN: 0-917256-20-4
Description: Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

]. The root is frequently used as a remedy for measles, often in combination with Cimicifuga foetida[

254

Title: The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
Publication
Author: Chevallier. A.
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley. London
Year: 1996
ISBN: 9-780751-303148
Description: An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.

The flower buds are diaphoretic and febrifuge[

1577

Title: Revision of the Genus Pueraria DC., with some notes on Teyleria Backer
Publication: Agricultural University Wageningen Papers 85-1, 1985
Author: Ven der Maesen L.J.G.
Publisher: Agricultural University,Wageningen,theNetherlands
Year: 1985
ISBN: 90-6754-066-8
Description

Research has shown that compounds called 'daidzin' and 'daidzein', which are contained in the roots and the flowers, are a safe and effective method for treating alcohol abuse[

238

Title: Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
Publication
Author: Bown. D.
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley, London.
Year: 1995
ISBN: 0-7513-020-31
Description: A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

]. They work by suppressing the appetite for alcohol, whereas existing treatments interfere with the way the alcohol is metabolised and can cause a build-up of toxins[

238

Title: Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
Publication
Author: Bown. D.
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley, London.
Year: 1995
ISBN: 0-7513-020-31
Description: A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

]. The plant is often used in combination with Chrysanthemum x morifolium in treating alcohol abuse[

254

Title: The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
Publication
Author: Chevallier. A.
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley. London
Year: 1996
ISBN: 9-780751-303148
Description: An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.

].
The root contains puerarin. This compound has been shown to increase the blood flow to the coronary artery and protects against acute myocardial ischaemia caused by the injection of pituitrin[

176

Title: Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas.
Publication
Author: Yeung. Him-Che.
Publisher: Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles
Year: 1985
ISBN: -
Description: An excellent Chinese herbal giving information on over 500 species. Rather technical and probably best suited to the more accomplished user of herbs.

].
The root can be harvested from the autumn to the spring and is used fresh or dried[

238

Title: Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
Publication
Author: Bown. D.
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley, London.
Year: 1995
ISBN: 0-7513-020-31
Description: A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

The flowers are harvested just before they are fully open and are dried for later use[

238

Title: Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
Publication
Author: Bown. D.
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley, London.
Year: 1995
ISBN: 0-7513-020-31
Description: A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

The stems are galactagogue and are also applied as a poultice to incipient boils, swellings, sore mouths etc[

218

Title: Medicinal Plants of China
Publication
Author: Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S.
Publisher: Reference Publications, Inc.
Year: 1985
ISBN: 0-917256-20-4
Description: Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

222

Title: A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America.
Publication
Author: Foster. S. & Duke. J. A.
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Co.
Year: 1990
ISBN: 0395467225
Description: A concise book dealing with almost 500 species. A line drawing of each plant is included plus colour photographs of about 100 species. Very good as a field guide, it only gives brief details about the plants medicinal properties.

The seed is used in the treatment of hangover and dysentery[

218

Title: Medicinal Plants of China
Publication
Author: Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S.
Publisher: Reference Publications, Inc.
Year: 1985
ISBN: 0-917256-20-4
Description: Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

222

Title: A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America.
Publication
Author: Foster. S. & Duke. J. A.
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Co.
Year: 1990
ISBN: 0395467225
Description: A concise book dealing with almost 500 species. A line drawing of each plant is included plus colour photographs of about 100 species. Very good as a field guide, it only gives brief details about the plants medicinal properties.

The leaves are styptic[

218

Title: Medicinal Plants of China
Publication
Author: Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S.
Publisher: Reference Publications, Inc.
Year: 1985
ISBN: 0-917256-20-4
Description: Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant can be used as a ground cover in a sunny position[

188

Title: The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers
Publication
Author: Brickell. C.
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd.
Year: 1990
ISBN: 0-86318-386-7
Description: Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.

]. It can also be used to make a quick, temporary screen[

Title: RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
Author: F. Chittendon.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Year: 1951
ISBN: -
Description: Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

].
Plants are very fast-growing and have an extensive root system which can be 1.8 metres deep. They are used for erosion control and for rebuilding depleted soils[

171

Title: Economic Botany.
Publication
Author: Hill. A. F.
Publisher: The Maple Press
Year: 1952
ISBN: -
Description: Not very comprehensive, but it is quite readable and goes into some detail about the plants it does cover.

174

Title: Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
Publication
Author: Kariyone. T.
Publisher: Nihon Rinshosha; Osaka
Year: 1973
ISBN
Description: A good Japanese herbal.

]. A member of the Fabaceae, the plant also adds nitrogen to the soil through the actions of root bacteria.

Other Uses

A tough, strong fibre from the stems is used to make ropes, cables, coarse cordage and textiles[

Title: A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Publication
Author: Usher. G.
Publisher: Constable
Year: 1974
ISBN: 0094579202
Description: Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

109

Title: Plantae Wilsonae. Vol 1 - 3
Publication
Author: Wilson. E. H.
Website: http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher: University Press; Cambridge.
Year: 1911 - 1917
ISBN
Description: Details of the palnts collected by the plant collector E. H. Wilson on his travels in China. Gives some habitats. Not for the casual reader. It can be downloaded from the internet.

151

Title: Corean Flora.
Publication
Author: Wilson. E. H. and Trollope. M. N.
Publisher: Royal Asiatic Society
Year: 1918
ISBN: -
Description: A very small handbook, it does give a little bit of information on Korean plants.

169

Title: A Weavers Garden
Publication
Author: Buchanan. R.
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Contemporary
Year: 1987
ISBN: 0934026289
Description: Covers all aspects of growing your own clothes, from fibre plants to dyes.

189

Title: Plant Fibres for Papermaking.
Publication
Author: Bell. L. A.
Publisher: Liliaceae Press
Year: 1988
ISBN: -
Description: A good practical section on how to make paper on a small scale plus details of about 75 species (quite a few of them tropical) that can be used.

]. The fibre is 2 - 3mm long and can be used to make paper. Straight first year stems, 2 - 2.7 metres long, are harvested in mid summer, the leaves are removed and the stems steamed until the fibres can be stripped. The fibres are then cooked for 2 hours with lye, tough vines might require 4 hours cooking, and the fibre put in a ball mill for 3 hours. The resulting paper is greenish/cream in colour[

189

Title: Plant Fibres for Papermaking.
Publication
Author: Bell. L. A.
Publisher: Liliaceae Press
Year: 1988
ISBN: -
Description: A good practical section on how to make paper on a small scale plus details of about 75 species (quite a few of them tropical) that can be used.

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow in a warm greenhouse in early spring. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out after the last expected frosts[

200

Title: The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
Author: Huxley. A.
Publisher: MacMillan Press
Year: 1992
ISBN: 0-333-47494-5
Description: Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

]. Cover the young plants with a frame or cloche until they are growing away well.
Division of young shoots from the crown. The young shoots are removed in the spring with some of the underground part of the stem, preferably with some roots already formed. They are potted up and will usually develop new roots from the nodes. They are planted out in the summer if growth is sufficient, otherwise they are grown on in pots for a year and planted out late the following spring.

Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-12-27. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Pueraria+montana>

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