Macrotyloma uniflorum

Macrotyloma uniflorum
Horse gram seeds
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Genus: Macrotyloma
Species:
M. uniflorum
Binomial name
Macrotyloma uniflorum
Varieties
  • M. uniflorum var. benadirianum
  • M. uniflorum var. stenocarpum (Brenan) Verdc.
  • M. uniflorum var. uniflorum
  • M. uniflorum var. verrucosum
Synonyms[1]
  • Dolichos uniflorus Lam.
  • Glycine uniflora (Lam.) Dalzell
  • Kerstingiella uniflora (Lam.) J.A.Lackey

Macrotyloma uniflorum (horsegram, also known as horse gram, kulthi bean, gahat, hurali, or Madras gram[2]) is a legume native to tropical southern Asia, known for its distinct taste and texture, widely used legume in many cuisines. It is also known for human consumption for its rich nutrients and reputed medicinal properties. It is commonly grown for horse feed, hence the name “horse gram”. Horse gram grown in parts of India, as well as Nepal, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and is introduced to the West Indies.[3] It is consumed whole, sprouted, or ground. It is consumed in many parts of India and is also known as a superfood. Horse gram is also allowed to be eaten on some Hindu fasting days. Medical uses of these legumes have been discussed and is described in the Ayurveda.

  1. ^ "Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc". Plants of the World Online. Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  2. ^ "Taxonomy - GRIN-Global Web v 1.10.5.0". npgsweb.ars-grin.gov. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  3. ^ "Horse Gram" (PDF). Government of India, Directorate of Pulses Development. 3 April 2017.