- Hyacinth bean
Taxobox
name = Hyacinth bean
image_width = 240px
image_caption = Hyacinth bean plant
regnum =Plant ae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo =Fabales
familia =Fabaceae
subfamilia =Faboideae
tribus =Phaseoleae
genus = "Lablab "
species = "L. purpureus"
binomial = "Lablab purpureus"
binomial_authority = (L.) SweetThe Hyacinth Bean ("Lablab purpureus",syn. "Dolichos lablab" L., "Dolichos purpureus" L., "Lablab niger" Medikus, "Lablab lablab" (L.) Lyons, "Vigna aristata" Piper, and "Lablab vulgaris", L.) Savi. [ [http://www.plantnames.unimelb.edu.au/Sorting/Lablab.html#purpureus "Lablab purpureus"] at Multilingual taxonomic information from theUniversity of Melbourne ] ), also called Indian Bean and Egyptian Bean, is a species ofbean in the familyFabaceae that is widespread as a food crop throughout thetropics , especially inAfrica . A traditional food plant inAfrica , this little-known vegetable has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable landcare. [cite book |authorlink= |author=National Research Council |editor= |others= |title=Lost Crops of Africa: Volume II: Vegetables |origdate= |url=http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=11763 |format= |accessdate=2008-07-15 |edition= |series=Lost Crops of Africa |volume=2 |date=2006-10-27 |publisher=National Academies Press |location= |isbn=978-0-309-10333-6 |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter=Lablab |chapterurl=http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=11763&page=191 |quote= |ref= ]The hyacinth bean grows as a
vine , producing purpleflower s and striking electric-purple colouredseed pods. Lablab bean is a good choice for a quick screen on a trellis or fence. It grows fast, has beautiful, fragrant flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds, and it even produces edible leaves, flowers, pods, seeds and roots. Dry pods and seeds arepoison ous due to high concentrations ofcyanogenic glucoside s, and can only be eaten after prolonged boiling.It is also grown as forage [ [http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/GBASE/data/Pf000047.HTM "Lablab purpureus"] atFAO ] and as anornamental plant . [ [http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Plant.asp?code=A114 "Lablab purpureus"] atMissouri Botanical Garden ] In addition, this plant is also cited as amedicinal plant and apoisonous plant . [ [http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Lablab+purpureus Lablab purpureus] atPlants For A Future ] [ [http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Dolicla.htm Lablab purpureus] atNorth Carolina State University ]External links
* [http://lakecounty.typepad.com/life_in_lake_county/2007/05/the_hyacinth_be.html The Hyacinth Bean] - Informative but non-scholarly essay on Hyacinth Bean history, uses, etymology.
* [http://www.moodindico.com/index.php?token=story&id=116 The Banglalore bean]
*Murphy, Andrea M.; Colucci, Pablo E. [http://www.cipav.org.co/lrrd/lrrd11/2/colu.htm A tropical forage solution to poor quality ruminant diets: A review of Lablab purpureus] Livestock Research for Rural Development (11) 2 1999References
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