Multicolored Macrotyloma geocarpum, 200 seed /$10, shipping $10, phyto cert. $12

200 seeds/ purchase

Macrotyloma geocarpum is also known as the ground bean, geocarpa groundnut, Hausa groundnut, or Kersting's groundnut. In French, it is often called la lentille de terre. M. geocarpum is an herbaceous annual plant and a crop of minor economic importance in sub-Saharan Africa, tolerant of drought, with a growth habit similar to that of the peanut.

Kersting’s groundnut(Macrotyloma geocarpum) is a neglected and under utilized legume crop endemic to West Africa. 
It is a geocarpic shrub by plant native
to Central Benin and Northern Togo. 

The crop is grown for its edible seeds, the leaves and vines are used as forage and for medicinal purposes.The seeds are boiled, seasoned to make a soup, which can be eaten with bread or“gari”,or used as dressing for rice. 

The seeds can also be processed into a cake locally named ‘‘ata’’ in Benin. 
Kersting’s groundnut has got many
local names in Benin, which one is "doyiwe".

The plant is bushy in spread form with many branches,upto 24, and plant height varying from 20-30cm.The fruits are pods developed underground, with each pod containing one or two seeds,
and rarely three. 

The pods are elliptical or elongated, with7-20mm lengthand 5-9mm width. The seed coat colors are diverse .