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sword jackbean

Scientific Name: Canavalia gladiata

Family: Fabaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Vine, Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Jack Bean and Sword Bean (Canavalia species)

The provided information discusses several Canavalia species, primarily focusing on the Jack Bean (Canavalia ensiformis) and the Sword Bean (Canavalia gladiata). These legumes are valued as crops and are sometimes grown in home gardens.

Considerations for Pets

  • The provided text mentions that jack bean contains a "very much larger quantity of urease than the sword or soy beans," suggesting potential biochemical activity that might be a consideration.
  • The beans are present in pods, potentially posing a choking hazard if ingested by smaller animals.

Considerations for Children

  • The beans are present in pods, potentially posing a choking hazard if ingested by young children.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

  • Scientific Names: Canavalia ensiformis (Jack Bean), Canavalia gladiata (Sword Bean), Canavalia ensiformis var. truncata Ricker
  • Common Names: Jack Bean, Sword Bean, Chickasaw Lima, Overlook Bean, Brazilian Broad Bean, Horse Gram, One-Eye-Bean, Scimitar Bean, Jamaican Horse Bean, Horse Bean, Sword Jackbean.
  • Synonyms: C. cathartica, C incurva, Dolichos gladiata, gladiatus Malocchia gladiata
  • Family: Fabaceae (also referred to as Leguminosae or Papilionaceae)
  • Subfamily: Papilionoideae (Leguminosae - Papilionoideae)

Distribution and Habitat

  • The Jack Bean and Sword Bean are occasionally grown in home gardens around the world.
  • The text mentions that the Jack Bean was introduced to Japan after the Sword Bean in the 16th century.
  • The provided materials reference cultivation and use in South India and Thailand.

Morphological Characteristics

  • The Sword Bean gets its name from its seed pod.
  • The "eye" of a sword bean is described as being greater than one half the length of the seed, potentially helping to distinguish it from the Jack Bean.

Ecological Role

  • Sword Bean is useful as a cover crop.

Genetic Information

  • Chromosome number: 2n = 22, 44

Uses

  • Several Canavalia species are valued legume crops.
  • The legume from the Sword Bean (Canavalia gladiata) is used as a vegetable.
  • Sword Bean contains urease, an enzyme which has been exploited commercially.
  • Historically, the Sword Bean was used in Africa, and the superstition concerning the Jack Bean may have originated there.

Quirky Facts

  • One source claims that Canavalia gladiata is the bean that inspired the story of Jack and the Beanstalk.