The winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus), also known as , Goa bean, four-angled bean, four-cornered bean, manila bean, princess bean, star bean, kamrangi bean, pea, or dragon bean, is a tropical herbaceous legume plant.
Winged bean is widely recognised by consumers and farmers in South Asia and South East Asia for its variety of uses and disease resistance. Winged bean is nutrient-rich and all parts of the plant are edible. The leaves can be eaten like spinach, flowers can be used in salads, tubers can be eaten raw or cooked, and seeds can be used in similar ways as the soybean. The winged bean is an underutilised species but has the potential to become a major multi-use food crop in the tropics of Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Description
The winged bean plant grows as a vine with climbing stems and leaves, in height. It is an herbaceous perennial, but can be grown as an annual. It is generally taller and notably larger than the common bean. The leaves can be long. The shape of its leaves ranges from ovate to deltoid, ovate-lanceolate, lanceolate, and long lanceolate. Psophocarpus species have tuberous roots and pods with wings. They can climb by twining their stems around a support.
Distribution and habitat
Most likely originating from New Guinea, All varieties of winged bean grow on a vine and must grow over a support. Some examples of support systems include: growing against exterior walls of houses, huts, buildings; supporting against larger perennial trees; stakes placed in the ground vertically; and structures made from posts and wires.
Winged bean production is optimal in humidity, but the species is susceptible to moisture stress and waterlogging. The nutrient-rich, tuberous roots have a nutty flavour. They are about 20% protein; winged bean roots have more protein than many other root vegetables. They can be eaten dried or roasted. Dried and ground seeds make a useful flour, and can be brewed to make a coffee-like drink.
<gallery>
Image:Japanese_Psophocarpus_tetragonolobus.jpg|Winged bean pods
Image:Wingedbean_roots.JPG|A young Burmese woman sells winged bean roots at a market in Mandalay
File:Pè myit.jpg|Boiled winged bean roots served as a snack in Burma
File:Sigarilyasjf1338.JPG|Ginataang sigarilyas, a Filipino dish of winged bean (sigarilyas) in coconut milk
</gallery>
The beans are rich not only in protein, but in tocopherols (antioxidants that facilitate vitamin-A utilisation in the body). They can be made into milk when blended with water and an emulsifier. Winged bean milk is similar to soy milk, but without the bean-rich flavour.
As animal feed
Winged bean is a potential food source for ruminants, poultry, The African sharptooth catfish, a highly valued food fish in Africa,