Share this:
I am a working mother who refuses to think that because I work, my children must forgo the benefits of quality and quantity time that they would receive if I were a stay-at-home mother.
I write about my struggles during this time in my life to balance my obligations to my family, my job, and my ministry while also trying to stay alive and maintain my sanity. (okay…maybe take sanity out of that equation, heh…).
I hope you will leave me a comment or send me a note if you like what you see or see what you like. And I hope you stop by often!.
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
Because seeds have a very hard seedcoat that must be scarified, germination could take up to 12 months[303]. Pre-soaking the seed in warm water for 12 to 24 hours makes this process easier[K]. Treated seed can give 100% germination in as little as 1 – 4 days, though 10 days is more usual[303 ] In situ, in nursery beds, or in containers, the seed can be planted[200, 303]. Young seedlings grow to between 8 and 30 cm in height in about 3 months. Nodal cuttings in sand in a closed case[200 ]. The seed can be kept at room temperature in sealed containers for a number of years[303]. There are reports of successful large cutting propagation in India[303].
Edible Uses: Edible parts include seeds, leaves, and vegetables. Edible Parts: Flowers. A Famine food. A minor edible leafy vegetable. Seed – raw or cooked[301 ]. They can be roasted, then shelled, before being consumed with rice[301, 307]. Both kids and adults like the seeds because they are simple to digest[303]. The bright red seeds taste like soya beans and contain 25% oil plus 39% protein[301 ] To reduce toxicity, the seed may need to be boiled[303, 418]. Young leaves can be prepared as a vegetable and eaten[301, 303, 418]. The flowers are also eaten.
For us to be able to continue operating and expanding our freely accessible database of more than 8000 edible and practical plants, we depend on regular donations. Thanks to recent appeals, donations have increased; however, we still require at least £1000 (or $1300/ €1200) each month. If you appreciate what we do, please donate what you can to help us out. More >>> Follow Us:
Found In: East Africa, East Timor, East Africa, Antigua-Barbuda, Arabia, Australia, Asia, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Chad, China, Congo, Cook Islands, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Fiji, French Guiana, Ghana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Martin
It is a plant of the humid, lowland tropics and subtropics, where it can be found at elevations up to 400 meters[303, 418]. Agroforestry Services: Alley Crop Agroforestry Services: Crop Shade Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen Beans Toxic Raw Fodder: Pod Industrial Crop: Fiber Management: Coppice Management: Standard Regional Crop Staple Crop: Protein-oil It can tolerate temperatures between 12 and 36 °C, but it thrives in environments with annual daytime temperatures between 22 and 28 °C[418]. It tolerates rainfall between 2,000 and 6,000 mm, but prefers a mean annual rainfall between 3,000 and 5,000 mm[418]. Prefers a sunny position, tolerating light shade[418 ]. Succeeds in any moderately fertile, moisture-retentive soil[200 ]. It grows naturally on a range of soil types, from deep, well-drained soil to shallow, rocky soil[418]. prefers a pH between 5 and 7, and tolerates 4 5 – 7. 5[418 ]. Established plants are drought tolerant[307 ]. Requires a position sheltered from high winds[303 ]. Plants can become invasive in lowland regions[307 ]. After the first year, growth picks up speed and can reach average annual growth rates of 23 to 26 mm in diameter and 200 to 230 cm in height[303]. Trees planted in plantations at 2 x 2 meters apart for windbreaks and at 1 x 2 meters apart for fuel wood can be thinned in 3 to 5 years to provide building materials[303]. Depending on the companion crop and site, shade tree spacing ranges from 5 to 10 meters[303]. Trees easily resprout, making coppice management possible with high survival rates[303]. High winds can cause the tree to break, with the crown typically taking the brunt of the damage[303, 418]. Each of the relatively uniform seeds weighs close to 4 grains, making them ideal for use as weights by goldsmiths and apothecaries. 25g)[307 ]. Certain soil bacteria that form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen are symbiotic with this species. Although the growing plant uses some of this nitrogen, other nearby plants can also use some of it[200].