HerbWildAnnualMedicinal

Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet

Sem phalli

Synonym: Dolichos lablab L

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Description

Lablab purpureus is a vigorous annual or short-lived perennial climbing herb, usually extending 1–5 m long. The stems are twining, cylindrical, green to purple, and branched. Leaves are trifoliolate, alternate, and borne on long petioles. The leaflets are broad ovate to triangular, usually 5–15 cm long, with entire margins, pointed tips, and prominent veins. Flowers are bisexual, papilionaceous, and arranged in erect axillary racemes. Flowers vary from white to purple depending on cultivar, with a prominent standard petal and characteristic keel structure. Fruits are flattened, curved or straight pods, usually 5–10 cm long, containing several large seeds. Seeds are variable in colour, including white, brown, black, and purple, often with a characteristic hilum.

Diagnostic Characters

Vegetative

Vigorous climbing habit. Three large leaflets. Twining stems.

Floral

White or purple pea flowers. Upright racemes.

Fruit & Seed

Flattened curved pods. Large edible seeds.

Distribution

Native range: Origin Africa, South Asia (cultivation history).

In Pakistan: Cultivated throughout Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Tropical regions worldwide.

Phenology

Flowering

Fruiting

Flowering: Summer–autumn Fruiting: Autumn–winter

Ethnobotany & Uses

Food Importance

Important traditional food crop. Uses Young pods as vegetables, Mature seeds as pulses, Leaves as leafy vegetables. Seeds contain Protein, Carbohydrates, Minerals.

Agricultural Importance

Nitrogen-fixing legume. Used as green manure. Improves soil fertility.

Medicinal Importance

Traditional uses include Digestive disorders, Inflammation, Fever management. Contains Flavonoids, Phenolics, Proteins.

UniFlora AI Assistant

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Where it grows on campus

This species is on the campus floristic list but was not pinned during the GPS mapping survey, so it has no map records yet.

Taxonomic Notes

Lablab purpureus was formerly widely known as Dolichos lablab. It is recognized by Climbing habit, Large trifoliate leaves, Purple or white flowers, Flat pods, UniFlora Field Recognition Tip 🌿. Look for 🌿 Climbing vine.