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 Hyacinth bean plant
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| Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet |
The Hyacinth Bean (Lablab purpureus, syn. Dolichos lablab L., Dolichos purpureus L., Lablab niger Medikus, Lablab lablab (L.) Lyons, Vigna aristata Piper, and Lablab vulgaris, L.) Savi. [1]), also called Indian Bean and Egyptian Bean, is a species of bean in the family Fabaceae that is widespread as a food crop throughout the tropics, especially in Africa. A traditional food plant in Africa, this little-known vegetable has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable landcare.[2]
The hyacinth bean grows as a vine, producing purple flowers and striking electric-purple coloured seed pods. Lablab bean is a good choice for a quick screen on a trellis or fence. It grows fast, has beautiful, fragrant flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds, and it even produces edible leaves, flowers, pods, seeds and roots. Dry pods and seeds are poisonous due to high concentrations of cyanogenic glucosides, and can only be eaten after prolonged boiling.
It is also grown as forage [3] and as an ornamental plant. [4] In addition, this plant is also cited as a medicinal plant and a poisonous plant. [5] [6]
External links
- The Hyacinth Bean - Informative but non-scholarly essay on Hyacinth Bean history, uses, etymology.
- The Banglalore bean
- Murphy, Andrea M.; Colucci, Pablo E. A tropical forage solution to poor quality ruminant diets: A review of Lablab purpureus Livestock Research for Rural Development (11) 2 1999
References
- ^ Lablab purpureus at Multilingual taxonomic information from the University of Melbourne
- ^ National Research Council (2006-10-27). "Lablab", Lost Crops of Africa: Volume II: Vegetables, Lost Crops of Africa 2. National Academies Press. ISBN 978-0-309-10333-6. Retrieved on 2008-07-15.
- ^ Lablab purpureus at FAO
- ^ Lablab purpureus at Missouri Botanical Garden
- ^ Lablab purpureus at Plants For A Future
- ^ Lablab purpureus at North Carolina State University
Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 1 September 2008, at 15:37.
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