Hyacinth bean

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The 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. ), also called Indian Bean, Egyptian Bean, Bulay (Tagalog), Bataw (Bisaya), or đậu ván (Vietnamese), is a species of bean in the family Fabaceae that is widespread as a food crop throughout the tropics, especially in Africa, India and Indonesia. In western Maharashtra, especially Konkan region, these beans are grown and called as Vaal (वाल). A traditional food plant in Africa, this little-known vegetable has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable landcare.

Growth

Seeds of the purple hyacinth bean

The hyacinth bean grows as a vine, producing purple flowers and striking electric-purple coloured seed 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 seeds are poisonous due to high concentrations of cyanogenic glucosides, and can only be eaten after prolonged boiling.

Pods of hyacinth bean

It is also grown as forage and as an ornamental plant. In addition, this plant is also cited as a medicinal plant and a poisonous plant.

In Maharashtra, a special spicy curry known as Vaala che Birde (वालाचे बीरडे). This delicacy is ofter used during fasting festivals during Shravan month.

In Huế, Vietnam, it is the main igredient of the dish chè đậu ván.

In Kenya, it is known as 'Njahi' and is popular among the Kikuyu group. It is thought to encourage lactation and has historically been the main dish for breastfeeding mothers. Beans are boiled and mashed with ripe and/or semi-ripe bananas giving the dish has a sweetish taste.

References

^ Lablab purpureus at Multilingual taxonomic information from the University of Melbourne
^ National Research Council (2006-10-27). "Lablab". Lost Crops of Africa: Volume II: Vegetables. Lost Crops of Africa. 2. National Academies Press. ISBN 978-0-309-10333-6. http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=11763&page=191. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
^ "Dolichos lablab". Floridata. http://www.floridata.com/ref/D/doli_lab.cfm. Retrieved 2008-10-23.
^ Lablab purpureus at FAO
^ Lablab purpureus at Missouri Botanical Garden
^ Lablab purpureus at Plants For A Future
^ Lablab purpureus at North Carolina State University

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Hyacinth bean

The Hyacinth Bean - Informative but non-scholarly essay on Hyacinth Bean history, uses, etymology.
The Banglalore bean
Murphy, Andrea M.; Colucci, Pablo E. A tropical forage solution to poor quality ruminant diets: A review of Lablab purpureus Livestock Research for Rural Development (11) 2 1999

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