Fabaceae · Cyamopsis

Guwar / Guvar Bean

Cyamopsis tetragonoloba

Also known as Cluster Bean

UndershrubMedicinal
Habit
Undershrub
Found in India
Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand
Flowering
Throughout the year

Plant Details

Scientific name
Cyamopsis tetragonoloba
Genus
Cyamopsis
Family
Fabaceae
Habitat
Cultivate
Habitat type
Cultivated
Native to
India
Distribution
Tropics of the World
Found in India
Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand
Flowering & fruiting
Throughout the year
Conservation status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Leaf characters

Leaf arrangement
AlternaterecordedOne leaf per node, arranged in a spiral or zigzag up the stem.Its fine leaves have an elongated oval shape (5 to 10 centimetres (2 to 4 in)) and of alternate position. — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Leaf type
Trifoliate (three leaflets)recorded
Leaf surface
PubescentrecordedCovered in short, soft hairs.Its leaves and stems are mostly hairy, depending on the cultivar. — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Typical of the family

Entire margin leaf character
Margin
Entire
Pinnate venation leaf character
Venation
Pinnate

Characters marked “recorded” are for Guwar itself; the rest are typical of the Fabaceae family.

Flower & fruit characters

Flower colour
PurplerecordedPurple or violet
Fruit type
LegumerecordedA dry pod that splits open along two seams (typical of the pea/bean family).The guar (from Hindi: ग्वार: gvār) or cluster bean, with the botanical name Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, is an annual legume and the source of guar gum. — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Typical of the family

Inflorescence
Raceme
Fruit
Legume

Characters marked “recorded” are for Guwar itself; the rest are typical of the Fabaceae family — flowering plants only.

Local Names

Hindi
गवार gawar, गुवार Guwar, गुआर Guaar
Bengali
ঝার শিম Jhar sim
Tamil
கொத்தவரை Kottavarai, கொத்தவரை
Telugu
గోరుచిక్కుడు, గోరు చిక్కుడు
Kannada
ಗೋರಿ ಕಾಯಿ Gori kaayi, ಚವಳಿ Chavali, ಜವಳಿ Javali
Malayalam
Kothavara, കൊത്തമര
Marathi
बावची Bavachi, चिटकी Chitaki, गवार Gavar

About Guwar

Guvar bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) is a low shrub in the Fabaceae family. In India it has been recorded in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand. It is cultivate. It flowers and fruits through much of the year.

Uses

Locally it is grown for parts that are eaten, tapped for gum or resin and stripped for fibre used in rope and matting.

Illustration representing the Fabaceae family
Botanical family

Fabaceae

Legume/Bean family

Guwar belongs to the Fabaceae family.

The illustration represents the family — not necessarily this exact species.

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Common plant problems

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