Abai / Sword Bean
Canavalia ensiformis
Also known as Jack Bean, Broad Bean, Patagonian Bean
- Habit
- Undershrub
- Found in India
- Maharashtra, Arunachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu & more
- Flowering
- August-March
Plant Details
- Scientific name
- Canavalia ensiformis
- Genus
- Canavalia
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Habit
- Undershrub
- Distribution
- Pantropical
- Found in India
- Maharashtra, Arunachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand
- Flowering & fruiting
- August-March
- Conservation status
- Not Evaluated (NE)
Leaf characters
- Leaf type
- Trifoliate (three leaflets)recorded
- Leaf surface
- Glabrous (smooth, hairless)recorded
Typical of the family
- Arrangement
- Alternate
Characters marked “recorded” are for Abai itself; the rest are typical of the Fabaceae family.
Flower & fruit characters
- Flower colour
- PurplerecordedPurple or violet
- Fruit surface
- SmoothrecordedSmooth, unornamented surface.
Typical of the family
- Flower symmetry
- Zygomorphic (bilaterally symmetrical)
- Inflorescence
- Raceme
- Fruit
- Legume
Characters marked “recorded” are for Abai itself; the rest are typical of the Fabaceae family — flowering plants only.
Local Names
- Kannada
- Tamate balli
- Marathi
- अबई Abai, अबई
About Abai
A member of the Fabaceae family, Sword Bean (Canavalia ensiformis) is a low shrub. In India it has been recorded in Maharashtra, Arunachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and 1 other states. Flowering and fruiting run from August to March.
Uses
Locally it is planted as an ornamental and harvested for fodder. Parts of this plant are reported as poisonous — treat it as unsafe to eat and wash your hands after handling.
Fabaceae
Legume/Bean family
Abai belongs to the Fabaceae family.
The illustration represents the family — not necessarily this exact species.
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