DOLICHOS BIANOENSIS

This member of the Fabaceae family was given this name by Rudolf Wilczek in 1954. It is found in grassland and swamps of Congo, Tanzania, Zaïre and Zambia, growing in a well drained soil or even swamp with lots of water and some to lots of sun. The caudex can grow to 14 centimetres, while the annual stems reach 50 centimetres height. The flowers are purple with a greenish outside, the immature fruits slightly pubescent.

The genera name means 'long' after the fruits. The species name 'two yearly'. The subspecies; Dolichos bianoensis subsp. orientalis are only found in Congo. It has relatively shorter and broader acuminate leaflets.