Hyacinth bean
Encyclopedia : H : HY : HYA : Hyacinth bean
The Hyacinth Bean (Dolichos lablab, syn. Lablab purpureus), also called Indian Bean and Egyptian Bean, is a plant of the family Fabaceae is a species of bean widespread as a food crop throughout the tropics, especially in Africa. It is also grown as forage and as an ornamental plant.
The hyancinth bean grows as a vine, producing purple flowers and scarlet coloured seed pods. Pods and seeds may be poisonous due to high concentrations of cyanogenic glucosides, and can only be eaten after prolonged boiling. The leaves and stems are also used to make hay.
Synonyms include Dolichos lablab L., Dolichos purpureus L., Lablab niger Medikus, Lablab lablab (L.) Lyons, Vigna aristata Piper, and Lablab vulgaris (L.) Savi.
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