Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet

Hyacinthbean

Vine

Annual

Vascular

Hyacinthbean is an introduced twining annual or short-lived perennial in the Bean family (Fabaceae). It is native to Africa, and is widely cultivated in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean for food. In the United States it is grown as an ornamental or for cut flowers. This species was collected once in the 1920’s in the agricultural fields at Auburn University and it is doubtful it is an established as part of the flora. Hyacinthbean is a twining annual with stems 10-20 feet in length. The stems are green or purplish in color and pubescent or glabrous. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, and pinnately trifoliate. The leaflets are ovate in outline, entire, and pubescent on the lower surface. Fragrant flowers are produced in loosely flowered axillary racemes. The corolla is papilionaceous and purple or white in color. The fruit is a large, laterally compressed, dehiscent legume that is green or purple in color. The flowers, leaves, and immature fruit are edible. Mature seed contain cyanogenic glycosides and can be toxic in large amounts. Hyacinthbean can be grown from seed planted after the danger of frost has past. It prefers a well-draining soil in full sun. Plants will need a trellis or other support to climb on. It is resistant to heat and drought, and has a long flowering period.—A. Diamond.

Collected in the agricultural fields and Auburn University one time in the 1920s. It is doubtful this species is an established as part of the flora.

Not Native FAC (NWPL)

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