Guilandina bonduc aka Green Spider Melon

Guilandina bonduc is a climbing shrub or liana, a woody vine. It belongs to the pea family, Fabaceae. Its native range spans the tropics and subtropics. It grows in tropical regions with a dry season. People call it nicker bean or bonduc nut. It also has the older names Caesalpinia bonduc and Caesalpinia glabra. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

Its climbing stems can reach 49 feet [15 metres] long. Strong prickles cover the stems in most cases. It grows in thickets, by roads, and near the sea. Near the coast, it grows on land behind mangroves. It also grows where people have disturbed the ground. Inland, it grows in young forests on cleared land. Records reach about 2,625 feet [800 metres] above sea level. The sources give no typical garden spread.

In the tropics, flowers and fruit can appear in any month. Its seeds float and survive long periods in water. This holds true for both fresh and salt water. This helps explain its wide spread along tropical coasts. People have also helped move the seeds inland. In tropical Africa, the plant has become established near villages. People may have brought seeds for medicine and board games. This may explain why it grows near these homes.

Grow this lowland tropical climber in full sun. It accepts many soils that drain well and have moderate fertility. Bacteria live in nodules, or small lumps, on its roots. They fix nitrogen from the air, which the plant uses. Nearby plants may gain some of this nitrogen too. To grow it from seed, soak seeds before sowing. Use warm water and soak them for 12–24 hours. Move each seedling to its own pot when large enough to handle. You can also grow plants from softwood cuttings. The cited method roots these in sand within a frame.

People gather wild plants for use in traditional medicine. This use spans Africa, Asia, and the Pacific islands. Little research has looked at its medicinal compounds. Work on seeds and roots forms an exception. People sell seeds in local markets and grow them for oil. Reports of food use concern seed oil for cooking. They do not refer to eating whole seeds. High doses of the plant may cause poisoning. People use seeds as beads, marbles, weights, and game counters. They also use seed oil in cosmetics. These uses do not show that plant material prepared at home is safe to eat.