Edible Plants of the World

Mackenzie Bean, Fire Bean, Coastal jack bean

It is a tropical plant. It occurs throughout the tropics and into the subtropics. It is very common along sea shores. It occurs on sandy beaches at high tide mark. It can grow in arid places. They need a well drained soil and a sunny position. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

Also known as:

Fanta, Fue fai va'a, Kachang laut, Kachang rang-rang, Kam pra, Kia tia, Lerelere, N'habo, Nhabo, Norfolk Island bean, Tagale, Tobalo-sosso, Tua-kla

Synonyms

Edible Portion

Where does Mackenzie Bean grow?

Found in: Africa, American Samoa, Angola, Asia, Australia, Benin, Cameroon, Central Africa, China, Colombia, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Equatorial-Guinea, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indochina, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kenya, Liberia, Malaysia, Marquesas, Mauritania, Micronesia, Mozambique, Nauru, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Puerto Rico, Rotuma, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South America, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia

Notes: There are about 50 Canavalia species.

Growing Mackenzie Bean, Fire Bean, Coastal jack bean

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. The seeds need treatment to break the hard seed coat. They can also be grown from cuttings.

Edible Uses: CAUTION: The seeds are poisonous raw. The seeds are edible after thorough cooking. They are also roasted ad ground and used as a coffee substitute. The flowers are eaten as a flavouring. They are used in sauces. The pods are edible when young.

Production: It takes 2 years to complete its life cycle.

Nutrition Info

per 100g edible portion

Edible Part Energy (kcal) Protein (g) Iron (mg) Vitamin A (ug) Vitamin c (mg) Zinc (mg) % Water
Fruit - 4.3 - - - - 10.4
Seeds - 22 - - - - 10.9
Flowers - flavour - - - - - -

References

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