Canavalia
| Canavalia | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Canavalia sericea | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Tribe: | Diocleae |
| Genus: |
Canavalia Adans. |
| Species | |
|
about 50, see text |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
about 50, see text
Canavalia is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family (Fabaceae) and comprises approximately 48 to 50species of tropical vines. Members of the genus are commonly known as jack-beans. The species of Canavalia endemic to the Hawaiian Islands were named by the Native Hawaiians. The name translates to "the very quick one" and comes from the Hawaiian word for "fast" that has also been appropriated into the name "". The genus name is derived from the Malabar word for the species, kavavali, which means "forest climber."
Several species are valued legume crops, including common jack-bean (C. ensiformis), sword bean (C. gladiata) and C. cathartica. At least the first makes a beneficial weed- and pathogen-suppressing living mulch. The common jack-bean is also a source of the lectin concanavalin A, which is used as a reagent in glycoprotein biochemistry and immunology. The jack-bean is also a common source of purified urease enzyme used in scientific research.
The bay bean (Canavalia rosea) is supposedly mildly psychoactive when smoked, and is used in tobacco substitutes.
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Wikipedia