Cha Om (Senegalia pennata)

Senegalia pennata, commonly known as cha-om or climbing wattle, is a fast-growing tropical vine in the Fabaceae family. Native to Southeast Asia, it is cultivated for its tender young shoots and leaves, which are commonly used as a vegetable in soups, omelets, and traditional dishes. Traditionally, various parts of the plant—including leaves and young shoots—have been used in folk medicine for their digestive, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. With its culinary, medicinal, and ecological significance, Senegalia pennata remains an important species in tropical home gardens, agroforestry systems, and regional food traditions.