Amphicarpaea bracteata
Hog Peanut, American hogpeanut
Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Amphicarpaea bracteata.
General Information
Plant Properties
Growth conditions
Moist
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Shade, Partial shade
Usage properties
Root, Seed
Nitrogen fixer, Carbon farming
Description
Seeds - raw or cooked. Two types of seeds are produced - flowers close to the ground produce pods that lie just below soil level. These pods contain individual seeds up to 15 mm in diameter that can be eaten as an alternative to peanuts. They can be harvested throughout the winter and eaten both raw and cooked. The taste is sweet and delicious, similar to peeled broad beans rather than peanuts. The yield is relatively low, and it can be a challenge to find the seeds, but they make a pleasant and nutritious snack. Other flowers higher up on the plant have seeds in pods that are not underground. These seeds are smaller and are usually cooked before being eaten. They can be used in the same way as lentils and are a good source of protein. The overall yield of these seeds is also low, and they are difficult to harvest. Root - cooked. The root is peeled, boiled, and then eaten. It is meaty and nutritious, according to some reports, while others say that the root is too small to offer much nutritional value. Our plants only produce small and fibrous roots.