Cha-om (climbing wattle shoots) Senegalia pennata subsp. insuavis
Cha-om (climbing wattle shoots) (Senegalia pennata subsp. insuavis) is an evergreen perennial vegetable in the Fabaceae family, native to Mainland Southeast Asia (Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam). It grows 1.5–4 m (4.9–13 ft) tall and 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 3 °C (37 °F). Space plants about 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart.
Plan Cha-om (climbing wattle shoots) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Cha-om (climbing wattle shoots) at a glance
| Type | Perennial vegetable, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–4 m (4.9–13 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.2 m (3.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 3 °C (37 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about August for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: young feathery shoot tips (cooked; omelette khai jiao cha-om, with nam phrik) |
| Native to | Mainland Southeast Asia (Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇲🇾 Malaysia |
Is Cha-om (climbing wattle shoots) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: shoots
A common cooked vegetable; the shoots smell strongly sulphurous, and some people avoid it while breastfeeding by tradition (not evidence). Stems carry hooked prickles.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Cha-om (climbing wattle shoots)
Good neighbours
- good With Sweet corn: "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils. Evidence C
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Onions, garlic and leeks are said to stunt beans and peas (allium root exudates may reduce nodulation). Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Beans and peas are traditionally kept away from onions, garlic and leeks. Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Fennel: Fennel is reported to suppress beans and peas growing next to it. Evidence C
Questions about Cha-om (climbing wattle shoots)
- How far apart should I plant Cha-om (climbing wattle shoots)?
- About 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft).
- Does Cha-om (climbing wattle shoots) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Cha-om (climbing wattle shoots) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Cha-om (climbing wattle shoots)?
- It tolerates about 3 °C (37 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Cha-om (climbing wattle shoots) flower?
- From about August for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Cha-om (climbing wattle shoots) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. A common cooked vegetable; the shoots smell strongly sulphurous, and some people avoid it while breastfeeding by tradition (not evidence). Stems carry hooked prickles.
- What grows well with Cha-om (climbing wattle shoots)?
- "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Thai Plant Names (Tem Smitinand), revised edition, Forest Herbarium, Royal Forest Department, Bangkok
- PROSEA: Plant Resources of South-East Asia, PROSEA Foundation, Bogor
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical: needs warm nights all year; in a frosty climate grow it under glass or as a summer container plant.
- Kept as a low, thorny, constantly picked bush along fences; left alone it scrambles into a climbing shrub. Syn. Acacia pennata subsp. insuavis.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Bush bean Phaseolus vulgaris
- Garden pea Pisum sativum
- Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus
- Runner bean Phaseolus coccineus
- Broad bean (fava) Vicia faba
- Lima bean Phaseolus lunatus
- Cowpea (black-eyed pea) Vigna unguiculata
- Yardlong bean Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis