 1: Flowers blooming in clusters.  2: Branches spread making use of other trees.  3: Small branches have compound leaves of three blades |
yIRUKANDAz ( botanical name: mucuna macrocarpa
)
@The flower has neither an especially beautiful shape, fine color,nor good smell. But if you happen to have a chance to look at it, you will never forget it. This racemose plant is called IRUKANDA or UJIRUKANDA and belongs to the pea family.
Its vine
climbs up other tall trees, dividing into branches. In March or April, racemes
hang down from the thick aphyllous branches. Dark violet and brown flowers bloom
in clusters and look like bunches of grapes. The compound leaves of three blades
spread on the tops of other trees, so that they can be fully exposed to the
sunshine.
Its main habitat is Amamian and
Okinawan islands. It was at the foot of a mountain in Surigachi and at a
riverbank in Nishinakama, Sumiyo-town, that I saw this strange
flower.
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| ¦To enlarge, please click the photo. |