2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Dolichos (lat. Dolichos) - a genus of heat-loving flowering climbing plants belonging to the Legumes family. Like most plants of the legume family, it enriches the soil with nitrogen and produces edible fruits. If in a tropical climate Dolichos is represented by perennial vines, then in a temperate climate the plant is grown as an annual, using for vertical gardening.
What's in your name
The fast-growing liana, reaching 10 meters in length in the tropics, is certainly far from 1344 meters, however, in its Latin name there is a connection with such a figure.
The fact is that in the 8th century BC, the list of the Olympic Games included the so-called "long run", which in Greek sounds like "dolichos" ("dolichos"). It was “long” because it exceeded the usual running distance of 192 meters by 7 times, that is, the length of the distance in this type of competition was equal to these 1344 meters. With its “long”, or rather, “long” shoot, the liana prompted botanists to come up with such an unusual name for our ear for the genus of tropical climbing plants, dexterously climbing up a support, like climbers courageously storming inaccessible slopes. After all, both climbers and long-distance runners are examples of valor, strong will and enviable diligence for other people.
So the plants of the genus "Dolichos" are distinguished by a huge supply of energy, building up their simple-shaped greens at a fast sports pace to help the gardener to drape the flaws of buildings and structures. At the same time, they give a light pleasant aroma of flowering; fruits, which in many species are quite edible and are actively used by people for hearty meals; and also saturate the soil with nitrogen, which the plant world needs for growth and prosperity.
Lobia is a relative of Dolichos
The only plant species of the genus Lobia (lat. Lablab), formed by botanists by separating "Dolichos ordinary" into an independent genus, is this very "Dolichos ordinary". It is possible that the plant owes this separation to its edible beans, which are actively used in the diet of people in Africa and East Asia.
The many names of this plant, assigned to it in different countries, should not mislead that the genus Lobia includes many species. Simply, people far from botanical science call Lobia by names that are closer to their souls. These can be: Australian peas, Hyacinth beans, Indian beans, Egyptian beans, Dolichos vulgaris or Dolichos lablab (the list goes on). In addition, many varieties of this plant have been bred, bringing their share of confusion with the name.
Dolichos vulgaris in temperate zones is grown as an annual ornamental plant. Its ability to quickly create side shoots, covered with large leaves, is an excellent decorator for garden buildings, which cannot be redecorated.
The plant does not try to be original, and therefore the shape of the leaves, racemose inflorescences and multi-colored seeds of aromatic pods will remind the gardener of more familiar beans, only growing faster, taller, larger and richer in colors.
Edible tops and roots
Common dolichos is a representative of the plant world, completely created by the Almighty for the nutrition of animals and humans, which man has understood since ancient times. All parts of the plant are used, from roots to tops.
True, different parts of the plant require individual processing before the dish is served. The roots of the plant are baked in the oven or boiled in water. Flowers and leaves can be eaten directly from the bush, or steamed a little. As for the fruits of the plant, you should be careful with them, since they contain toxic cyanogenic glycosides. They are disposed of by boiling the seeds and legume pods in several waters.
Growing
Dolichos prefers sunny places; loose and fertile soil; needs watering at the beginning of life and during prolonged drought.
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Dolichos - A Tropical Alien
Tropical perennial vines in the Russian climate are grown as annual legumes that quickly grow green mass, giving flowers with a light aroma and edible fruits. In addition, like other plants from the legume family, they enrich the soil with nitrogen