January 2002. Is this Pueraria lobata? And, if this is a correct identification, is P. lobata now P. montana (Lour.)? This was the question asked by Cook Islands. The vine was on a remote island. Unfortunately, it had no flowers. The leaflets were large (c.10+ cm) and none were thought to be 3-lobed. The pod was tough and woody.

Some members thought it to be either Pueraria phaseoloides or Vandasina retusa.

However, this was disputed by others who considered it more likely to be Pachyrrhizus erosus, the yam bean. If the yam bean, it should have a starchy tuber.

Later, Cook Islands agreed that after looking at the literature the suggestion of Pachyrhizus erosus looks very likely. Now need to inspect the root (on the island of Mitiaro.