Sword bean
A tropical plant. It requires a tropical climate. Temperatures of 20-30°C suit it well and it grows from sea level to about 1000 m altitude in equatorial zones. They are drought and salt resistant. They can grow on lowland tropical nutrient depleted soils. They can grow on soils with pH from 4.5-7.0. They can tolerate some shade. In Yunnan.
Also known as:
Abai, Abbo, Alad, Baikang, Baikng, Bara sem, Bon shim, Carabanz, Chemma kaaya, Dau-rua, Frijol cafe, Frijol de machete, Ghevada, Habas, Jangli Sem, Jungli abhui, Kacang parasman, Kacang polong, Kachang hantu, Kachang nyonya, Kachang parang, Kaos parasman, Kara pedang, Kara wedung, Koas bakol, Lal kadsumbal, Madezo, Magtambokau, Makhan shim, Moushim, Naga sem, Nam-nawbaw, Namtaipee, Nkasa, Pe-dalet, Pe-dama, Pe-damouk, Pe-det, Pe-gale, Pe-naung-ni, Rar bu-shot kwen-e, Sanndaek triehs, Segapu thambattai, Sem, Shembi avare, Tarvardi, Thampattai, Thua phraa, Tioeuhs, Tua pra, Tumbekai, Yerra tamma
Synonyms
- Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC. var. alba Makino
- Canavalia ensiformis auct. non (L.) DC.
- Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC. var. gladiata (Jacq.) Kuntze
- Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.) DC. var. alba (Makino) Hisauti
- Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.) DC. var. machaeroides DC.
- Canavalia gladiolata J. D. Sauer
- Canavalia incurva (Thunb.) DC.
- Canavalia incurva Thouars
- Canavalia loureirii G. Don.
- Canavalia machaeroides (DC.) Steudel
- Canavalia maxima Thouars
- Dolichos gladiatus Jacq.
- Dolichos incurvus Thunb.
- Malocchia gladiata (Jacq.) Savi
Edible Portion
- Seeds, Leaves, Pods, Spice, Vegetable
Where does Sword bean grow?
Found in: Africa, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Burundi, Cambodia, Central Africa, Central America, China, Congo DR, Cuba, East Africa, Fiji, Ghana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guianas, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Panama, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Paraguay, Philippines, SE Asia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, United States, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Notes: There are about 50 Canavalia species.
Status: It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. Pods are sold in local markets. Only occasionally grown in Papua New Guinea.
Growing Sword bean
Cultivation: They are grown from seeds. Seeds germinate readily and the plant is relatively fast growing. Seeds can be sown 5 cm deep. Plants should be 60-70 cm apart. Climbing types need support. Often natural supports such as trees, walls and fences are used in backyard production. For large scale production 25-40 kg/ha of seed are needed.
Edible Uses: Young pods are cooked and eaten. Seeds can be cooked and eaten, but the water should be changed and they should be well boiled. They are also fermented. The seeds can be toasted and ground and used as a coffee substitute. The leaves are blanched and eaten. CAUTION The seeds can be poisonous due to hydrocyanic acid and saponin. Cooking will remove these.
Production: Green seeds/pods are produced in 3-4 months and mature seeds in 5-10 months. Seed yields of 700-900 kg/ha are possible. Green pods are hand picked when 10-15 cm long before they swell and become fibrous.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seeds | 319 | 27.1 | - | - | - | - | 15 |
| Fresh Pods | 34 | 2.8 | - | - | - | - | 89 |
| Leaves | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Sword bean Photos
References
Sword bean references Canavalia gladiata
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