Glycine soja
| Glycine soja | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Glycine soja (common name: wild soya bean)
Propagation: Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in early spring in a greenhouse. The seed should germinate within two weeks at a temperature between 12 - 16°c[1]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Seed can also be pre-soaked for 12 hours in warm water and then sown in situ in late spring, though this will not yield well unless the summer is very hot.
Cultivation: Requires a rich soil and a sunny position[2][3]. Prefers a well-drained sandy soil[4]. Prefers a slightly acid soil[5][1]. Does not grow well in a wet climate[6].
This is the wild ancestor of the cultivated soya bean and is of potential value as a genetic resource, especially when trying to breed for increased yields.
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[5]. Seed can be purchased that has been treated with this rhizobium, it is unnecessary on soils with a pH below 5.5 but can be helpful on other soils[1]. When removing plant remains at the end of the growing season, it is best to only remove the aerial parts of the plant, leaving the roots in the ground to decay and release their nitrogen.
Range: E. Asia - China.
Habitat: Lowland thickets, C. and S. Japan[7].
Edibility: Mature seed - cooked[8][2]. Very rich in protein, the seeds can be eaten as they are in soups, stews etc[9], though they are very commonly used in the preparation of various meat substitutes[10][11]. The dried seed can be ground into a flour and added to cereal flours or used for making noodles etc[9]. The Japanese make a powder from the roasted and ground seed, it is called 'Kinako' and has a nutty flavour and fragrance - it is used in many popular confections[9]. The sprouted seed is eaten raw or added to cooked dishes. The toasted seeds can be eaten as a peanut-like snack[9]. The seed is also made into numerous fermented foods such as miso and tempeh[9] and is also used to make soya milk, used in place of cow's milk. The seed contains 20% oil and 30 - 45% protein[12].
The immature seed is cooked and used like peas or eaten raw in salads[13][9].
The strongly roasted and ground seeds are used as a coffee substitute[9].
The young seedpods are cooked and used like French beans[14][9].
An edible oil is obtained from the seed. It is cooked or used as a dressing in salads etc[10][9].
Young leaves - raw or cooked[15][9].
Medicinal: The fermented seed is weakly diaphoretic and stomachic[16]. It is used in the treatment of colds, fevers and headaches, insomnia, irritability and a stuffy sensation in the chest[16].
The bruised leaves are applied to snakebite[17].
The flowers are used in the treatment of blindness and opacity of the cornea[17].
The ashes of the stems are applied to granular haemorrhoids or fungus growths on the anus[17].
The immature seedpods are chewed to a pulp and applied to corneal and smallpox ulcers[17].
The seed is antidote[17]. It is considered to be specific for the healthy functioning of bowels, heart, kidney, liver and stomach[17].
The seed sprouts are constructive, laxative and resolvent[17]. They are used in the treatment of oedema, dysuria, chest fullness, decreased perspiration, the initial stages of flu and arthralgia[16].
A decoction of the bark is astringent[18].
Usage: The seed contains up to 20% of an edible semi-drying oil[19]. It is non-drying according to another report[20]. This oil has a very wide range of applications and is commonly used in the chemical industry[19][1]. It is used in making soap, plastics, paints etc[10][11][12].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The raw mature seed is toxic and must be thoroughly cooked before being eaten[21]. The sprouted raw seed is sometimes eaten and is considered to be a wholesome food.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Larkcom, Joy. Oriental Vegetables. John Murray, 1991.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Organ, John. Rare Vegetables for Garden and Table. Faber, 1960.
- ↑ Simmons, Alan. Simmons' Manual of Fruit. David & Charles, 1978.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Corbetta, Francisco. The COmplete Book of Fruits and Vegetables. 1985.
- ↑ Ohwi, Jisaburo. Flora of Japan. Smithsonian Institution, 1965.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 9.8 9.9 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Nicholson, Barbara and Stephen Harrison. The Oxford Book of Food Plants. Oxford University Press, 1975.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of Europe. Oxford University Press, 1969.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1986.
- ↑ Read, Bernard. Famine Foods Listed in the Chiu Huang Pen Ts'ao. Taipei Southern Materials Centre, 1977.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Yeung, Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, 1985.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 17.6 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Hill, Albert. Economic Botany. The Maple Press, 1952.
- ↑ Schery. Robert. Plants for Man. Prentice Hall, 1972.
- ↑ Cooper, Marion. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. The Stationery Office, 1984.