Genus Mucuna, family Leguminosae: many species, especially the velvet bean, M. deeringiana, and M. pruriens, grown as a fodder plant and green manure
Example sentencesExamples
Here the whole community now grows mucuna in its fields and has begun a journey across a new frontier of thought - towards settled and sustainable agriculture.
A more sedate game is maknim, in which the large seeds of the mucuna vine are set up in rows.
In the 1930's two million acres of mucuna were planted in the United States to feed cattle.
The use of the mucuna bean also produces excellent compost and suppresses weeds, and the land never needs to be ploughed.
Origin
Mid 19th century: via Portuguese from Tupi mucunán.