Veneers

Have you ever wanted to try little known legumes? It is often thought that what is easy to grow is what you see in nurseries, and they are not lacking (in most cases), but the truth is that there are many plants that can pleasantly surprise us. One of them is what is known, among other names, as veneers.

It is a vine that produces legumes whose seeds are edible. And yes, it is very easy to care for. What’s more, it is so good that it grows well both in pot and in the ground. Discover it.

Table of Contents

Origin and characteristics

Legumes of the veneer plant

It is an annual herbaceous climber whose scientific name is Unguiculata vine popularly known as wild pea, Chinese bean, black head, tape bean, face bean, mask bean, cowpea, chíchere, pea or veneers. Reaches a height of up to 1 or 1,5 meters as long as it has support to climb on.

It has leaves composed of three oval or rhomboid leaflets, sometimes covered by villi. The flowers are asymmetrical, white or purple. The fruit is a legume with 3-12 seeds, similar in appearance to beans but with a black spot in the central part.

Uses

  • Culinary: the seeds are rich in protein and fiber, as well as minerals such as potassium or iron. They are used in different dishes, such as black-headed bean rice from the Caribbean Region of Colombia, or in different soups and stews from the north of Extremadura (Spain).
  • Cattle feed: It is also cultivated as fodder.

What are their cares?

Veneer plant

Image – Flickr / Tony Rodd

If you want to have a copy of veneers, we recommend you take care of it in the following way:

  • Location: it must be outside, in full sun.
  • Earth:
    • Garden: grows in fertile, well-drained soils.
    • Pot: mix 70% mulch with 30% perlite.
  • Irrigation: every 2 days in summer, somewhat more spaced the rest of the year.
  • Subscriber. in spring and summer with ecological fertilizers, once a month.
  • Multiplication: by seeds in spring.
  • Rusticity: it does not resist cold or frost.

Enjoy your cultivation 🙂.

Veneers

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