Macroptilium atropurpureum

Taxobox
name = "Macroptilium atropurpureum"

---

image_width = 300px
image_caption = Leaves, Flowers, and Pods.
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Fabales
familia = Fabaceae
subfamilia = Faboideae
tribus = Phaseoleae
subtribus = Phaseolinae
genus = "Macroptilium"
species = "M. atropurpureum"
binomial = "Macroptilium atropurpureum"
binomial_authority = (DC.) Urb.

"Macroptilium atropurpureum", commonly known as Purple Bush-Bean or Siratro, is a climber in the pea family (Fabaceae) native from Texas south to Peru and Brazil, and to the Caribbean, [http://www.tropicalforages.info/key/Forages/Media/Html/Macroptilium_atropurpureum.htm Factsheet - Macroptilium atropurpureum ] ] but widely naturalized in the tropics and subtropics, including Arizona, Florida, and Hawaii. [ [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MAAT80 PLANTS Profile for Macroptilium atropurpureum (purple bushbean) | USDA PLANTS ] ]

Description

The plant has a deep, fleshy taproot, the young stems are finely pubescent, and the leaves are trifoliate with ovoid leaflets having a few shallow lobes, and also slightly pubescent. The flowers are deep purple with a velvety sheen, reddish at the base, and have a typical pea flower shape. The long hirsute pods shatter when ripe. It is naturally diploid, 2n = 22.. "M. lathyroides" is a similar species, but has lanceolate leaflets that lack lobes [ [http://www.jcu.edu.au/discovernature/sci_p2/JCUDEV_006189.html Discover Nature at JCU - JCU ] ] and red to red-purple flowers. [ [http://www.tropicalforages.info/key/Forages/Media/Html/Macroptilium_lathyroides.htm Factsheet - Macroptilium lathyroides ] ]

Usage

"Macroptilium atropurpureum" is useful as a tropical forage crop in full sun, and can also be used to prevent soil erosion. It tolerates a wide range of soils and pH, and tolerates more salinity than other leguminous forage crops. It is well-adapted to drought by virtue of its taproot and pubescent leaves that reduce evaporation. Heavy frost causes dieback, but the plant resprouts from the crown in warmer conditions. "M. atropurpureum" cannot tolerate waterlogging.

References