Lablab

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Hyacinth bean
Hyacinth bean plant
Hyacinth bean plant
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Tribe: Phaseoleae
Genus: Lablab
Species: L. purpureus
Binomial name
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]


Seeds of the purple hyacinth bean
Seeds of the purple hyacinth bean

The hyacinth bean grows as a vine, producing purple flowers and striking electric-purple coloured seed pods. Pods and seeds may be poisonous due to high concentrations of cyanogenic glucosides, and can only be eaten after prolonged boiling.

Pods of hyacinth bean
Pods of hyacinth bean

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]

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References

Wikipedia content modification information:

  • This page was last modified on 12 August 2008, at 05:04.

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