Flemingia is a genus of flowering plants that belongs to the Fabaceae family, commonly known as the legume family. The genus includes approximately 40 to 50 species, most of which are shrubs or small herbaceous plants. These species are native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and Africa, although some have been introduced to other tropical parts of the world, such as the Amazon Rainforest, where they play important agricultural and ecological roles. One of the most valuable features of these plants is their ability to fix nitrogen through symbiosis with soil bacteria, which helps to improve soil fertility.

Flemingia species are widely used in agroforestry systems, particularly in tropical regions. They are planted as cover crops, used for green manure, and play an important role in controlling soil erosion. Some species, such as Flemingia macrophylla, are cultivated as fodder shrubs for livestock. Farmers often integrate them into cropping systems alongside crops like coffee and cocoa, or in efforts to rehabilitate degraded soils.

Beyond their agricultural uses, certain Flemingia species have a place in traditional medicine. In some regions, they have been used historically to treat fever, inflammation, and parasitic infections. Modern studies have found that some species contain bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.

Here, in our project in Peru, we first do a dense initial seeding, as you can see in the pictures. The seedlings are then thinned out as they grow, eventually leaving a tree every 30 or 40 cm. These dense rows are coppiced (cut back to a stump and then allowed to sprout back again) annually for organic matter and soil carbon production!