Macrotyloma uniflorum

Horse Gram is a twining annual or perennial forming dense growth 30-60 cm high. Trifoliate leaves are 3-7 cm long and 2-4 cm wide. Leaflets are ovate, rounded at the base, pointed or slightly tapering, terminal leaflet symmetrical, laterals asymmetrical, 3.5-5 cm long, 2-4 cm broad, softly woolly on both surfaces, fimbriolate, paler beneath. Yellow or greenish-yellow flowers with violet blot on the standard are borne singly. Pods are 6-8 cm long and 4-8 mm wide with 6-7 seeds. Var. uniflorum is the cultivated annual form which has wider pods. It is drought resistant but cannot withstand waterlogging. Horse Gram is of Indian origin, it is now cultivated in Asia, Africa, West Indies and southern USA as a pulse crop and for fodder. The whole seeds of horsegram are generally utilized as cattle feed. However, it is consumed as a whole seed, as sprouts, or as whole meal in India.