Stizolobium deeringiana is a flowering plant species belonging to the Fabaceae family, commonly known as the velvet bean or buffalo bean. Native to tropical and subtropical regions of North and South America, it is a perennial vine that typically grows in open woodland areas, forest margins, and disturbed habitats.
The plant features cascading, twining stems that can reach lengths of up to 3 meters. The leaves are alternate and trifoliate, consisting of three leaflets. The leaflets are elliptical in shape, green in color, and covered in soft, velvety hairs, which gives the plant its common name.
During the flowering season, Stizolobium deeringiana produces clusters of showy, purple or lavender flowers. The flowers are papilionaceous, meaning they have a characteristic butterfly shape, with five petals arranged into a standard, two wings, and a keel.
Following pollination, the flowers develop into long, curved pods, which enclose several seeds. The seeds are round, dark brown to black in color, and densely covered in velvet-like hairs. Despite its invasive tendencies, the plant is widely cultivated for its nutritional and medicinal properties.
Stizolobium deeringiana has historically been utilized for its seeds, which contain high levels of protein and essential amino acids. The seeds are often used as food, livestock feed, and as a natural fertilizer due to their nitrogen-fixing abilities. Traditional medicine practices have employed various parts of the plant for their potential anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and aphrodisiac properties.
Although Stizolobium deeringiana can provide various benefits, it should be handled with caution due to its strong propensity to spread and become invasive.
