Macroptilium atropurpureum Seeds | Purple Bush-bean Siratro
LATIN NAME: Macroptilium atropurpureum
COMMON NAME: Siratro, Purple Bush Bean
Plant Profile
Macroptilium atropurpureum, better known as Siratro, is a twining, herb in the pea family, native to tropical regions of the Americas, while it is grown in warm regions of world as a valuable forage and a nitrogen-fixing plant. Siratro is a vigorous and generous climber of warm pastures, and it is one of the most successful of the forage legumes of the tropics. Established plants reach around Two metres. The flowers pull in pollinating insects, which quietly widens its usefulness in the garden. Not many plants ask so little and repay so much.
Science & Biotechnology
Research touching on Macroptilium atropurpureum ranges from the botany of the pea family to practical horticulture, including seed handling, propagation and the selection of superior forms. Siratro has a genuine and practical record in agricultural and pasture research. Breeders and collectors still work with it, so well-kept seed remains available.
Uses & Benefits
Siratro brings genuine presence to the garden and earns its keep across the growing season. Ecologically, siratro is a generous plant of tropical pasture. Its purple flowers feed bees and other pollinators, and its nitrogen-fixing roots enrich soil, improving poor, worn ground for plants that follow. Its economic value is considerable in the tropics. In later seasons it demands little more than an appreciative eye.
Beyond its looks, it serves the wider garden: the flowers feed bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects, and stems cut for the vase bring the season indoors.
Growing from Seed
Raising Siratro from seed is straightforward. Growing siratro from seed is easy and very rewarding. Seeds sit inside slender pods, and they have a hard coat, so soak them in hot water overnight, or nick them gently, before sowing. Sow thinly on the surface of a loose, well-drained seed compost, cover lightly, water in gently and keep the tray in a sunny spot with even moisture. Prick the seedlings out once they are large enough to handle, grow them on in bright light, and plant out when conditions allow.
Our Take
As a twining, herb, it settles into a routine quickly once established. After establishment, care settles into an easy routine.
Related Reading
Gardeners who grow Siratro often pair it with these related subjects: