In spring, some peculiar flowers start to appear on trees in south China’s Guangdong Province. They have a distinctive appearance that resembles little white birds, flocking along the vines that wind around branches. 

They are the Birdwood’s Mucuna, or as the Cantonese call it, Java sparrow flowers.

The Birdwood’s Mucuna is a species of climbing vines. The vines can grow to more than 30 meters long. Between March and May, the flowers blossom in bunches that consist of 20 to 30 individuals and hang from vines. 

This flower likes the warm and humid climate of southern China. They also grow in Jiangxi, Fujian, Guizhou and Sichuan provinces, and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. 

The Birdwood's Mucuna flower is edible and has a sweet taste. In Guangdong, people also make this interesting flower into food. It can be cooked with meat or fried in a dish.

China's Flora Tour

From the wetlands along the coast to the dense rainforests hidden in the southwest of China, all boast an array of plant species. In this series, we will go on a tour to learn about some of the most representative flora in different provinces and see how they live in harmony with the local geography and climate.

(Cover image provided via VCG, designed by CGTN's Yu Peng.)

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