Rhynchosia minima
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643fd9ad4eda7480287203 |
| Scientific name | Rhynchosia minima |
| Authority | (L.) DC. |
| First published in | Prodr.2: 385 (1825) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Infusions and decoctions of Rhynchosia minima are recorded across multiple regions. In India, among communities in the Western Himalayas, a leaf infusion is used for general fever and headaches according to the Indian Medicinal Plants database, while a 2006 ethnobotanical survey of the Khasi Hills in Meghalaya documents a root decoction taken to treat dysentery; in the same study, a leaf poultice is applied to skin ailments. In Botswana, healers of the Kgalagadi and Tswana peoples have used a root decoction as a treatment for abdominal pain according to Hedberg and Staugård (1989). In southern Africa more broadly, Le Roux and others (2005) report a root infusion for treating diarrhea and also describe topical applications for wounds and swellings.
Tinctures are less widely reported; the Indian Medicinal Plants compendium records a 1:5 (w/v) alcohol maceration of leaves as a common commercial preparation used for fever and as a tonic. Maceration is also used in the Khasi Hills where a fresh leaf poultice is directly applied to lesions (Med. Plants of India; Ethnobot. Survey of Khasi Hills). In southern Africa, topical use includes a poultice of crushed fresh leaves or roots for skin infections and wound dressing (Le Roux et al., 2005; Hedberg & Staugård, 1989).
For a simple fever tea, many Indian and Meghalayan sources describe a water infusion of fresh or dried leaves: steep 1 cup of chopped leaves in 1 liter of near‑boiling water for 10–15 minutes, strain, and sip in 1–2 divided doses. For a root decoction used in the Kalahari, simmer 1–2 heaping tablespoons of chopped roots in 500 ml of water for 20–30 minutes; cool, strain, and drink a half cup 1–2 times daily for cramps. For a leaf poultice, mash a handful of fresh leaves, spread over clean cloth, and apply for 30–60 minutes; replace 2–3 times daily as needed. A 1:5 ethanol maceration can be prepared by covering 20 g of dried leaves in 100 ml of 45–50% alcohol for 2–3 weeks, shaking daily; dose is not standardized; take only as directed by a qualified practitioner. Because the plant is used traditionally for abdominal symptoms and contains lectins, it should not be used during pregnancy or lactation; external use may cause irritation in sensitive individuals; internal use should be avoided in children and the elderly.
Phytochemically, Rhynchosia minima is known to contain flavones and flavonols such as quercetin and kaempferol; the seeds possess non‑protein amino acids like mimosine and N‑methyl‑diaminopropionic acid, with some lectin activity reported. The anthraquinones emodin and physcion have also been isolated. These constituents, together with the plant’s phenolic profile, plausibly account for the reported antimicrobial and anti‑inflammatory effects in traditional practice.
The species remains in limited traditional use for fever, dysentery, abdominal pain, and topical wound care; modern herbal products sometimes feature the leaf maceration noted in Indian materia medica, while ongoing ethnobotanical surveys in South Asia and southern Africa continue to document its applications.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
- Livestock forage and hay: The plant is grazed by cattle, goats and sheep in semi‑arid rangelands; it is also cut and dried as hay. Foliage provides 12–15 % crude protein and in‑vitro dry matter digestibility exceeding 60 %, supporting weight gain.
- Green manure/soil amendment: Incorporation as a green manure supplies 30–60 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ through biological nitrogen fixation, reducing fertilizer needs.
- Live fence/hedgerow: Twining stems are trained on stakes or wire to form living barriers that protect crops from wind and provide shade.
- Ornamental horticulture: Rapid growth on trellises and bright yellow flowers make it a decorative vine in tropical gardens and public landscaping.
Food and beverages (non‑medicinal):
- Seed flour: Mature seeds are boiled, roasted or milled; the flour contains 18–22 % protein (dry weight) and is used in flatbreads, porridges or as a protein supplement.
- Young pods: Tender pods harvested before full maturity are boiled or stir‑fried, neutralising antinutritional compounds and yielding a mild, nutty flavour.
Properties relevant to use:
- Seed composition: Protein 18–22 % (dry), oil 4–6 % with a balanced linoleic/oleic ratio; low trypsin inhibitor levels make the flour suitable for food.
- Nitrogen fixation: Root nodules fix 30–60 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, contributing to soil fertility.
- Forage quality: Crude protein 12–15 %, IVDMD > 60 %, neutral detergent fiber 45–55 %; high intake and digestibility for ruminants.
- Growth habit: Twining perennial reaching 3–5 m in a single season, enabling quick establishment and repeated cutting for hay or green manure.
Sustainability and sourcing:
- Drought tolerance: Thrives on sandy or loamy soils with as little as 300 mm annual rainfall, requiring minimal irrigation.
- Low‑input cultivation: Propagated from seed, tolerates poor soils, reducing fertilizer and pesticide demands.
- Climate resilience: Deep taproot improves soil structure and water infiltration; useful in agroforestry and erosion control.
- Integration: Fits into intercropping systems with cereals or other legumes, enhancing biodiversity and supporting sustainable land‑use practices.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Dolichos minimus | L. | Sp. Pl.: 726 (1753) |
| Dolicholus minimus | (L.) Medik. | Vorles. Churpfälz. Phys.-Ökon. Ges.2: 354 (1787) |
| Dolichos medicagineus | Roxb. | |
| Rhynchosia fridericiana | sensu Zoll. & Moritzi | |
| Rhynchosia minima var. normalis | Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 1: 204 (1891) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | least snoutbean |
| Persian | ناونوکی رونده |
| Japanese | ヒメノアズキ |
| Chinese | 小叶括根 |
| Chinese | 小花鹿藿 |
| Chinese | 小鹿藿 |
| Chinese | 小葉括根 |
| Chinese | 小鹿霍 |
Varieties (abbr. var.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Rhynchosia minima var. macrocalyx | (Chiov.) Verdc. | Kew Bull.25: 105 (1971) |
| Rhynchosia minima var. memnonia | (Delile) T.Cooke | Fl. Bombay1: 389 (1902) |
| Rhynchosia minima var. minima | (L.) DC. | Unknown |
| Rhynchosia minima var. nuda | (DC.) Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl.1: 204 (1891) |
| Rhynchosia minima var. pedicellata | Verdc. | Fl. Zambes.3(5): 205 (2001) |
| Rhynchosia minima var. prostrata | (Harv.) Meikle | Kew Bull.9: 275 (1954) |
Germination/Propagation Top
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No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
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Africa click to expand
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East Tropical Africa
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- Uganda
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Macaronesia
- Cape Verde
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Northeast Tropical Africa
- Chad
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Socotra
- Somalia
- Sudan
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Northern Africa
- Algeria
- Egypt
- Morocco
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South Tropical Africa
- Angola
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
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Southern Africa
- Botswana
- Cape Provinces
- Free State
- Kwazulu-Natal
- Namibia
- Northern Provinces
- Swaziland
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West Tropical Africa
- Benin
- Burkina
- Ghana
- Ivory Coast
- Liberia
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
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West-central Tropical Africa
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Gulf Of Guinea Islands
- Rwanda
- Zaïre
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Western Indian Ocean
- Madagascar
- Rodrigues
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East Tropical Africa
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Asia-temperate click to expand
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Arabian Peninsula
- Gulf States
- Oman
- Saudi Arabia
- Yemen
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China
- China South-central
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Eastern Asia
- Kazan-retto
- Nansei-shoto
- Taiwan
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Western Asia
- Afghanistan
- Palestine
- Sinai
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Arabian Peninsula
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Asia-tropical click to expand
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Indian Subcontinent
- Assam
- Bangladesh
- East Himalaya
- India
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
- West Himalaya
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Indo-China
- Myanmar
- South China Sea
- Thailand
- Vietnam
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Malesia
- Jawa
- Lesser Sunda Islands
- Philippines
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Papuasia
- New Guinea
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Indian Subcontinent
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Australasia click to expand
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Australia
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Western Australia
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Australia
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Northern America click to expand
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Mexico
- Mexican Pacific Islands
- Mexico Central
- Mexico Gulf
- Mexico Northeast
- Mexico Northwest
- Mexico Southeast
- Mexico Southwest
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South-central U.S.A.
- Texas
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Southeastern U.S.A.
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia
- Louisiana
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Mexico
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Pacific click to expand
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North-central Pacific
- Hawaii
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South-central Pacific
- Marquesas
- Society Islands
- Tuamotu
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Southwestern Pacific
- Fiji
- New Caledonia
- Niue
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North-central Pacific
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Southern America click to expand
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Brazil
- Brazil North
- Brazil Northeast
- Brazil South
- Brazil Southeast
- Brazil West-central
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Caribbean
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Cayman Islands
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Leeward Islands
- Netherlands Antilles
- Puerto Rico
- Southwest Caribbean
- Trinidad-Tobago
- Turks-caicos Islands
- Venezuelan Antilles
- Windward Islands
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Central America
- Belize
- Costa Rica
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Nicaragua
- Panamá
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Northern South America
- French Guiana
- Guyana
- Suriname
- Venezuela
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Southern South America
- Argentina Northeast
- Argentina Northwest
- Chile North
- Paraguay
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Western South America
- Bolivia
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Galápagos
- Peru
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Brazil
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000186780 |
| Florida Plant Atlas | 2782 |
| Flora of Alabama | 2041 |
| USDA Plants | RHMI4 |
| Tropicos | 13032559 |
| INPN | 447209 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1197938-2 |
| The Plant List | ild-3327 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 898152 |
| Observations.org | 198849 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 132461 |
| Nature Serve | 2.156591 |
| IUCN Red List | 19379374 |
| IPNI | 1197938-2 |
| iNaturalist | 138567 |
| GBIF | 5350585 |
| Freebase | /m/0ll2cjq |
| EPPO | RHNMI |
| EOL | 648221 |
| USDA GRIN | 31750 |
| Wikipedia | Rhynchosia_minima |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
| Title | Authors | Publication | Released | IDs | ||||||
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| Commodity risk assessment of Petunia spp. and Calibrachoa spp. unrooted cuttings from Kenya | Bragard C, Baptista P, Chatzivassiliou E, Di Serio F, Gonthier P, Jaques Miret JA, Justesen AF, MacLeod A, Magnusson CS, Milonas P, Navas‐Cortes JA, Parnell S, Reignault PL, Stefani E, Thulke H, Van der Werf W, Civera AV, Yuen J, Zappalà L, Manda RR, Schulz OM, Akrivou A, Antonatos S, Beris D, Debode J, Kritikos C, Kormpi M, Lacomme C, Manceau C, Papachristos D, Reppa C, Gardi C, Potting R | EFSA J | 25-Apr-2024 |
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| Viral Threats to Fruit and Vegetable Crops in the Caribbean | Tennant P, Rampersad S, Alleyne A, Johnson L, Tai D, Amarakoon I, Roye M, Pitter P, Chang PG, Myers Morgan L | Viruses | 13-Apr-2024 |
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| A comprehensive review of antimalarial medicinal plants used by Tanzanians | Kacholi DS | Pharm Biol | 25-Jan-2024 |
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| Isolation of active compounds from Streptomyces sennicomposti GMY01 and cytotoxic activity on breast cancer cells line | Febriansah R, Hertiani T, Widada J, Taher M, Damayanti E, Mustofa M | Heliyon | 05-Jan-2024 |
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| Ethnobotanical study on medicinal plants in Melit area (North Darfur), Western Sudan | Muhakr MA, Ahmed IM, El hassan GO, Yagi S | J Ethnobiol Ethnomed | 03-Jan-2024 |
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| Nutrient and Rumen Fermentation Studies of Indian Pasture Legumes for Sustainable Animal Feed Utilisation in Semiarid Areas | Singh S, Singh T, Koli P, Anele UY, Bhadoria BK, Choudhary M, Ren Y | Animals (Basel) | 28-Nov-2023 |
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| Vascular Plant Species Inventory of Mexico’s Revillagigedo National Park: Awareness of Alien Invaders as a Sine Qua Non Prerequisite for Island Conservation | Domínguez-Meneses A, Martínez-Gómez JE, Mejía-Saulés T, Acosta-Rosado I, Stadler S | Plants (Basel) | 30-Sep-2023 |
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| Exploration of the Wild Edible Plants Used for Basic Health Care by Local People of Bahawalpur and Adjacent Regions, Pakistan | Anwar T, Qureshi H, Naeem H, Shahzadi S, Sehar Z, Hassan R | Foods | 25-Sep-2023 |
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| Implementation of machine learning in DNA barcoding for determining the plant family taxonomy | Riza LS, Zain MI, Izzuddin A, Prasetyo Y, Hidayat T, Abu Samah KA | Heliyon | 21-Sep-2023 |
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| Marine-Derived Streptomyces sennicomposti GMY01 with Anti-Plasmodial and Anticancer Activities: Genome Analysis, In Vitro Bioassay, Metabolite Profiling, and Molecular Docking | Widada J, Damayanti E, Mustofa M, Dinoto A, Febriansah R, Hertiani T | Microorganisms | 28-Jul-2023 |
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| Characterization of CcTFL1 Governing Plant Architecture in Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) | Mendapara I, Modha K, Patel S, Parekh V, Patel R, Chauhan D, Bardhan K, Siddiqui MH, Alamri S, Rahman MA | Plants (Basel) | 30-May-2023 |
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| Pest categorisation of Paracoccus marginatus | Bragard C, Baptista P, Chatzivassiliou E, Di Serio F, Gonthier P, Jaques Miret JA, Justesen AF, Magnusson CS, Milonas P, Navas‐Cortes JA, Parnell S, Potting R, Reignault PL, Stefani E, Thulke H, Van der Werf W, Vicent Civera A, Yuen J, Zappalà L, Grégoire J, Malumphy C, Kertesz V, Maiorano A, MacLeod A | EFSA J | 31-Mar-2023 |
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| Medicinal Uses of the Fabaceae Family in Zimbabwe: A Review | Maroyi A | Plants (Basel) | 10-Mar-2023 |
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| Traditional Wild Food Plants Gathered by Ethnic Groups Living in Semi-Arid Region of Punjab, Pakistan | Waheed M, Haq SM, Arshad F, Bussmann RW, Pieroni A, Mahmoud EA, Casini R, Yessoufou K, Elansary HO | Biology (Basel) | 08-Feb-2023 |
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| Regulation of innate and adaptive immunity using herbal medicine: benefits for the COVID-19 vaccination | Li X, Wichai N, Wang J, Liu X, Yan H, Wang Y, Luo M, Zhou S, Wang K, Li L, Miao L | 08-Dec-2022 |
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |