Indigofera glandulosa – Famine Foods

Indigofera glandulosa

Synonym(s):
Indigofera frumentacea

Uses

India (central [Bhil group]): the crop is cut, stacked, dried, threshed and winnowed. The seeds are then ground into flour for bread, however, the flour is so sticky that it has to be mixed with flour of Panicum colonum, L. [GRAMINEAE]] before being baked. There should be more P. colonum flour than I. glandulosa in the mixture or, at least half to half, before good bread can be produced. The seeds are also eaten boiled, like rice. They are considered a ‘hot’ food. It is reported seldom, if ever, eaten alone. The Bhils “do not like it, and fall back on it only when there is nothing else to eat in the house.”

Additional Information

Name Authority:
Roxb.; Wend.; Willd.
Vernaculars:
area unspecified): Zinjroo. Marathi:Vekheariyo. Bombay (area not specified): Gavacha, malmandi, Kaladgi. Telgugu: Vekhariyo, Baragadam, Barapatálu, Boomidapu. Berar: Barbati, Jungli -Methi. Newasa, Ahmednagar district, Bombay Presidency: Divali. Kopargaon, Ahmednagar district, Bombay Presidency: Ranmetha. Purandhar, Poona district, Bombay Presidency: Borbada. Nandgaon, Nasik district, Bombay Presidency: Barbada. Sholapur district, Bombay Presidency: Barbed. Anklesvar, Broach district, Bombay Presidency: Pahudi. Nawapur, Khandesh district, Bombay Presidency: Fronju. Mandvi, Surat district, Bombay Presidency: Peodi. Wagra, Broach district, Bombay Presidency: Defri.
Misc:
Chemical composition (seeds) (after Church ): Water = 8.2%. Albuminoids = 31.9%. Carbohydrate (soluble) = 46.7%. Oil = 2.2%. Fibre = 7.8%. Ash = 3.2%. (after Paton & Dunlop): Protein = 36.12% (available = 29.9%. Carbohydrate (available) = 10.9%. Relative available energy = 167. Soil type favored by plant (Panch Mahals area): black

 Plant Classification Group:
 Plant Locations:

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This site is provided to Mr. Freedman by Dr. Jules Janick, Emeritus Professor and Former James Troop Distinguished Professor of Horticulture. The content on this site is provided and maintained by Mr. Freedman.