Hylodesmum repandum

Hylodesmum repandum belongs to the pea family, Fabaceae. It is a perennial that may form a woody base. Its native range spans Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and tropical Asia. It also reaches southern Yunnan in China. Useful Tropical Plants lists its range as reaching some Pacific islands. The plant grows wild and also occurs in cultivation. People gather wild plants for local medicinal use.

Its shape varies from upright to climbing or scrambling. Stems may stay single or divide into branches. Upright plants reach about 1–5 feet [0.3–1.5 metres] tall. Scrambling growth can form dense cover reaching 13 feet [4 metres]. The same source also lists a height of 1.6 feet [0.5 metres]. These figures reflect a broad range of reported growth forms. They do not establish a clear mature size in gardens. Insects pollinate the plant, and growers can raise it from seed.

Shade forms a key part of its natural habitat. The plant can be abundant beneath tropical forest cover. It occurs in both dry evergreen forest and rainforest. It also grows at forest edges and beside rivers. Other sites include Podocarpus forest and roadsides. Recorded sites lie at elevations of 1,312–10,007 feet [400–3,050 metres]. These records cover a wide range of tropical upland settings.

Useful Tropical Plants describes it as a plant of moist tropical regions. In Asia, it grows mainly where rain falls throughout the year. In Africa, it also grows where rainfall follows a seasonal pattern. It grows well in shade and has served as ground cover. The source suggests it could cover soil beneath coffee and other plantation crops. Farmers have also used it as green manure. Bacteria live in nodules on its roots and fix nitrogen from the air. The plant uses some of this nitrogen. Nearby plants may benefit from some of it too.

Reported medicinal uses include roots for stomach complaints. People also combine the plant with other substances used as diuretics. These records describe use, rather than proof of benefit. The source lists no known food uses or hazards. That lack of reported hazards does not establish safety for people or pets.