Mucuna sp. #004 from Ecuador
The "Other Thick-Banded Mucuna"

These seeds were obtained in "Oriente" Ecuador, from a roadside vendor, and are a gift from Sally C.

These seeds of are somewhat globose, almost marble-like, with a thick hilum.
I have only 3 seeds of this type, and have not yet "sacrificed" any for purposes of growing them to obtain flowers and pods.

Seed measurements (L x W x H) are: (1) 23.2 x 24.9 x 17.8 mm; (2) 24.8 x 24.6 x 18.8 mm; (3) 22.0 x 21.4 x 20.0 mm
Averages: 23.3 x 23.6 x 18.9 mm




Similar specimens (but not so inflated, and not? M. eliptica) have been collected stranded on Texas beaches, by P. Babcock.
In the center photo, the lower right specimen is likely Mucuna eliptica; same specimen in the far right of the rightmost photo.

Note the presence of one specimen that is tentatively called "Mucuna sp. #005" - the Red Thick-Banded Mucuna

   
Above 3 photos: P. Babcock

Seeds from Quito, Ecuador

Wait 7 seconds for the below image to change. There are 4 images that it cycles through.

These 7 specimens of "Mucuna sp. #004" were the gift of JR Powers (July 10, 2014), who had recently obtained them from Quito, Ecuador.
The above image cycles through 4 views, as if each seed was grabbed at its "top" and rotated toward the viewer.
Each of the 4 photos can be viewed separately as high resolution images: image one;   image two;   image three;   image four;.

The 7 specimens, above, were measured (mm) for Length, Width, Height and Hilum thickness

  
"Circularness" is how much of a disk-like shape the seed has when lying flat; "Roundness" is how marble-like the seed is. For both ratios, 1.0 is perfectly circular or round.
The Hilum thickness is provided as a percentage of the Height (= thickness) of the seed.
Flotation: Seeds numbered 3, 4, 6 all SANK in fresh water and salt water; others floated in fresh water (and thus in salt water too).
See also: How I measure seeds of Mucuna spp.


These 3 specimens of "Mucuna sp. #004" were an additional gift from JR Powers (August 8, 2014)
  

7/31/2014, 8 mm

8/1/2014, 25 mm

8/2/1014, 40 mm

8/3/2014, 92 mm

Planting: Seeds numbered 5, 6, 7 were planted on July 21, 2014.
Above: Very young sprout, from seed #6, 7/31/2014 = 10 days post planting.
8/4/2014, 177 mm;   8/5/2014, 245 mm;   8/6/2014, 360 mm;   8/7/2014, 445 mm;   8/8/2014, 530 mm
The sprout from seed #6 was transplanted outside on August 12, 2014
at a stem height of 585 mm (about 23 inches;   avg. growth = 2 inches/day).

Seed number 5 sprouted on August 12, 2014!   ...22 days post planting.