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Evergreen tree up to 35 metres in height with soft hairy twigs and a wide-spreading crown. The green pinnate leaves are up to 25 cm long and have similarly pinnate leaflets along the leaf vein (bipinnate). Parkia produces yellowish hanging racemes of brush-like flowers which subsequently produce up to 50 cm-long green pods with round seeds that protrude clearly from the pods.
The unripe pods are eaten as a vegetable in Thailand. The seeds of the bitter bean can also be eaten after ripening and drying. They have a characteristic, slightly garlicky taste.
Our plant is about three years old and was grown straight from a bean. We will need to wait another five to seven years until it produces beans itself.
Thailand, Malaysia
Tropical garden staff member Wandee
The unripe pods are eaten as a vegetable in Thailand. The seeds of the bitter bean can also be eaten after ripening and drying. They have a characteristic, slightly garlicky taste.
Our plant is about three years old and was grown straight from a bean. We will need to wait another five to seven years until it produces beans itself.