Burn-mouth-vine (Rhynchosia minima, Prodr. 2: 385 (1825))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: (L.) DC.

Bibliography: Prodr. 2: 385 (1825)

Year: 1825

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Rhynchosia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Tropics & Subtropics

Description

Burn-mouth-vine, scientifically named Rhynchosia minima, is a noteworthy plant belonging to the Fabaceae family. Its intriguing presence is spread across the tropical and subtropical regions, flourishing under diverse climatic conditions. This resilient vine gets its common name from the noticeable sensation it imparts, resembling a slight burn, evident when it comes into contact with skin or is ingested.

The Rhynchosia minima has been part of botanical literature since the early 19th century, with its specification documented in 1825. The formal description by the authoritative botanist, (L.) DC., can be found in the prodigious work, “Prodr. 2: 385”. This detailed classification underscores the plant’s long-standing recognition and importance in botanical studies.

Belonging to the extensive legume family, Burn-mouth-vine shares many characteristics with other Fabaceae members, which includes nitrogen-fixing ability beneficial to soil health. This trait not only aids in its own growth but also contributes to the fertility of the surrounding ecosystem. The adaptability and functional attributes make Rhynchosia minima significant both ecologically and agriculturally.

While it thrives in warmth, its adaptability allows it to prosper in a variety of environmental conditions within the tropics and subtropics. This vine’s hardiness and spread indicate its evolutionary success and contribution to its native habitats. Whether viewed for its botanical interest or ecological contributions, Rhynchosia minima stands out as an exemplary species within its family.

Common Names

Eng: least snoutbean, burn-mouth-vine, jumby-bean, least snout-bean, jumby bean, least snout bean
En: Burn-mouth-vine, Least snout-bean, Jumby-bean, Least snoutbean, Jumby Bean, Least Snout Bean
Ar: بعل (بَعَل)، فرح قمرى (فَرَح القِمرى), خبيلى (خُبيلى), ودان الفار (وِدان، وِدين، وِدن) الفار
He: חרטום זעיר

Synonyms

• Dolicholus minimus ((L.) Medik.)
• Rhynchosia minima var. normalis (Kuntze)
• Dolichos minimus (L.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Angola (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Aruba (native)
• Assam (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Belize (native)
• Benin (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Botswana (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Burkina (native)
• Burundi (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Cape Provinces (native)
• Cape Verde (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Central African Repu (native)
• Chad (native)
• Chile North (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• Egypt (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Florida (native)
• Free State (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Galápagos (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Gulf States (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• India (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Kazan-retto (native)
• Kenya (native)
• KwaZulu-Natal (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
• Liberia (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Malawi (native)
• Mali (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Mexican Pacific Is. (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Namibia (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Netherlands Antilles (native)
• New Guinea (native)
• New South Wales (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Niger (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Northern Territory (native)
• Oman (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Queensland (native)
• Rodrigues (native)
• Rwanda (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Senegal (native)
• Sierra Leone (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Socotra (native)
• Somalia (native)
• South Australia (native)
• South China Sea (native)
• Southwest Caribbean (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Swaziland (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Texas (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Togo (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Turks-Caicos Is. (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Western Australia (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Marquesas (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• Niue (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Tuamotu (introduced)
• Tubuai Is. (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Jul 1, 2013 by Maxime JACQUOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 12, 2022 by carlos washington (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2013 by Maxime JACQUOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 16, 2020 by bimbi bimbi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 13, 2021 by AlexAriel (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Dec 23, 2021 by Juan Carlos Ordonez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 29, 2022 by Alain BEIGNET (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2013 by Maxime JACQUOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 12, 2022 by carlos washington (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 24, 2021 by Arvind Kulkarni (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 11, 2020 by 由美子 MiS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 29, 2019 by Sophie Macfarlane (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 13, 2015 by EOL − Chuck Sexton (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 29, 2015 by EOL − grbfrog (cc-by-nc)

Other

Taken Dec 7, 2012 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Dec 7, 2012 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Dec 3, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Dec 7, 2012 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 16, 2020 by bimbi bimbi (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Mar 27, 2022 by Leigh Winowiecki (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 22, 2022 by Leigh Winowiecki (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 12, 2022 by carlos washington (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 22, 2022 by Leigh Winowiecki (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 16, 2020 by bimbi bimbi (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 26, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 30, 2021 by Mama Wimbo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 19, 2021 by quispe alma (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1197938-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5350585)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Rhynchosia minima (L.) DC.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Subshrub, Forb/herb, Vine

Growth