''Entada rheedii'', commonly known as African dream herb or snuff box sea bean, and as the cacoon vine in Jamaica, is a large woody liana or climber of the Mimosa Family (

Mimosaceae The Mimosoideae are a traditional subfamily of trees, herbs, lianas, and shrubs in the pea family (Fabaceae) that mostly grow in tropical and subtropical climates. They are typically characterized by having radially symmetric flowers, with petals ...

). The vine can grow as long as 120 meters (393.7 feet). Their seeds have a thick and durable seed coat which allows them to survive lengthy periods of immersion in seawater.

Naming

Though its scientific name was first published as ''E. rheedii'', it is often written as ''Entada rheedei'', honouring Hendrik Adriaan van Rheede tot Draakestein (1637–1691).The International Plant Names Index (2004)
''Entada rheedei''
Accessed 5 September 2007.

Subspecies

The following subspecies have been used: * '' Entada rheedii rheedii'' * '' Entada rheedii sinohimalensis'' (Grierson & D.G.Long) Panigrahi

Traditional use

The species is employed in African traditional medicine to induce vivid dreams, enabling communication with the spirit world. The inner meat of the seed would be either consumed directly, or the meat would be chopped, dried, mixed with other herbs like tobacco and smoked just before sleep to induce the desired dreams. The plant is also used as a topical ointment against jaundice,

toothache Toothache, also known as dental pain,Segen JC. (2002). ''McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine''. The McGraw-Hill Companies. is pain in the teeth or their supporting structures, caused by dental diseases or pain referred to the t ...

ulcers An ulcer is a discontinuity or break in a bodily membrane that impedes normal function of the affected organ. According to Robbins's pathology, "ulcer is the breach of the continuity of skin, epithelium or mucous membrane caused by sloughing o ...

and to treat muscular-skeletal problems. The seeds are sought after as pieces of jewelry and as good-luck charms. The 1889 book ''The Useful Native Plants of Australia'' records that Entada Scandens has the common names included "Queensland Bean". Indigenous Australians of the Cleveland Bay area referred to the plant as "Barbaddah" and that "These large beans are ... put into the stone oven and heated in the same way and for the same time as those of Avicennia tomentosa (q.v.); they are then pounded fine and put into a dilly-bag, and left for ten or twelve hours in water, then they are fit for use." (Murrell's testimony). The natives of India also eat them after roasting and soaking in water."

Distribution and habitat

Its seeds are found on east and southern African beaches, having grown on river and estuary banks and in swamp forest. As a result of its ready dispersal by sea, ''Entada rheedii'' is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas (excluding the Americas): tropical Africa, South Africa, tropical Asia and Queensland.

Gallery

File:Entada rheedii seeds picked up on a South African beach at Mapelane.jpg File:Entada rheedii02.jpg File:Entada rheedii seed.jpg File:Entada_rheedii_sprouting.jpg File:Entada rheedii05.jpg, File:Entada rheedii06.jpg File:Entada rheedii07.jpg

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q5380081 Entheogens rheedii Flora of Africa Flora of tropical Asia Flora of Queensland Garden plants Decorative fruits and seeds Plants used in traditional African medicine Oneirogens Bushfood