Velvet bean,
Mucuna pruriens is an annual creeper which flowers in November and December. The flower clusters are a beautiful purple and white.
Velvet bean is called Nasugunne in Kannada. It is a native of India and Africa. The leaves when young, cause itchiness if you touch them. The fruit of this plant is covered with orange hairs, and they cause severe itch if touched.
The seeds of the Mucuna pruriens is used to treat Parkinson's disease in Ayurveda and Unani medicine, as they contain L dopa. Extracts from the plant is used to treat cobra bite .
The plant covers any small tree near it completely in its growing season.
