Dolichos lab

Dolichos lab is an annual, vigorous legume native to Africa. Its shoots reach a length of 3-5 meters in length. The leaves are trifoliate, large and ovate. The flowers and pods are purple, white or pink. The flowers are delicately scented.

The young pods are eaten as vegetables, while the leaves and flowers can be eaten raw or cooked. The leaves are a rich source of iron, the seeds can be eaten as sprouts.

The fruit is a long pod, turning red as it ripens. Each contains several large seeds, which can be of different colors. They are most often brownish.