| Etymology | Genus | A Malabar common name used by van Rheede, a Dutch military officer, who described the genus of giant seeds that float across the Atlantic Ocean to was |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Spiral, referring to the twisted seed pod | |
| Family | Fabaceae | |
| Synonyms | - | |
| Common Names | Sea Bean, Akar Beluru | |
| Status | Native: Common | |
| Form | Woody climber | |
| Native Distribution | Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Thailand | |
Diagnostics:
A woody climber found in our rainforest nature reserves, Entada spiralis has bipinnate compound leaves, divided into four stalks of secondary leaflets. Each leaflet is oppositely arranged and asymmetric, with a notched tip. The fruit pod is large and spiralling, and over 1m when stretched.
Hanging branch at MacRitchie Reservoir.
Inflorescence.
Compound leaves.
Closeup of leaves.
Underside of leaflets.
Petiole.
Woody vine.
Posted: 2025-09-14
Google Ads