How to Grow and Care for Entada

Matchbox bean (Entada phaseoloides) is a tropical plant that is rich in saponins and can be used as a natural soap. It has characteristically large seed pods that grow up to 1.8 m in length. Each seed pod contains 10-20 seeds that are buoyant enough to be dispersed on ocean currents.

Callingcard vine is a robust, woody liana known for its long, beaded seed pods that can reach over a meter in length. This climber flaunts lush, feathery leaves and small, inconspicuous flowers. Thriving in tropical habitats, callingcard vine's extensive vine system often drapes over trees, leveraging sunlight and upper-canopy resources while adding to the rainforest's dense foliage.

Entada rheedii, commonly known as African dream herb or snuff box sea bean, and as the cacoon vine in Jamaica, is a large woody liana or climber. Their seeds have a thick and durable seed coat which allows them to survive lengthy periods of immersion in seawater.

Nicker bean is renowned for its massive seed pods, which can stretch up to 2 meters, making them the largest of any plant. These dark brown pods house sizable reddish-brown seeds with a glossy finish. Thriving in coastal and riparian zones, nicker bean's sturdy vines use large, bright green bi-pinnate leaves to reach the sunlight, showcasing a compelling adaptation to its lush habitat.