Species information
Scientific name: Mucuna macrocarpa
Japanese name: イルカンダ
Chinese name: 血藤
English name: Rusty-leaf Mucuna
Origin: Southern China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Amami Oshima to Okinawa Islands, and India.
Ecology and description
The Japanese name “Iru-kanda” is derived from the Okinawan dialect; “イル（iru）” means “color” in Okinawan, and “カンダ（kanda）” means “vine.” Rusty-leaf Mucuna is commonly found in the forests of Yambaru, and it blooms spectacularly in large clusters from March to May. In Japanese, it is often likened to a chandelier in the forest. Rusty-leaf Mucuna has years when it blooms prolifically and years when it blooms less. The year 2025 is a prolific bloom year, we saw abundant flowers of Rusty-leaf Mucuna looking up along the forest trails at ASMUI.
Distribution reference for Rusty-leaf Mucuna:
National Museum of Nature and Science “Plants of the Ryukyus” — Mucuna macrocarpa
Field photographs taken during our tours, with observation dates
During our 【Morning Birding】 tours in March and April, there is a high chance to see the blooming flowers of Rusty-leaf Mucuna, and sometimes you can even see flying foxes feeding on the nectar during 【Night Birding】 tours.
