sword bean

Sword Bean (Canavalia gladiata), native to tropical Asia, is a climbing annual plant of the legume family (Fabaceae), genus Canavalia. Its long, sword-shaped pods give it the alternative name "sword bean," which is also its English name. The plant was introduced to Japan during the Edo period.

Left: Fukujinzuke (a Japanese pickled relish served with curry) often includes sword bean. Right: The sword-shaped pods in the foreground are sword beans.


The vine grows 3 to 5 meters long, with large trifoliate leaves. Each leaflet is ovate, 10–15 cm long, and alternates along the stem. From July to September, racemes extend downward from leaf axils, bearing butterfly-shaped flowers approximately 3 cm in diameter that bloom upward in white or pink.

By November, the plant produces pods 30–50 cm long, containing pale reddish-brown beans inside. There are several types of sword bean. The edible varieties include red sword bean (Canavalia gladiata) and white sword bean (Canavalia gladiata f. alba), used in Chinese medicine, tea, or as young seeds in Fukujinzuke. Other varieties are highly toxic.

Common Name: Sword Bean
Scientific Name: Canavalia gladiata
English Name: Sword Bean
Classification:
Kingdom: Plantae Angiosperms: Eudicots Order: Fabales Family: Fabaceae Genus: Canavalia Species: C. gladiata
Origin: Tropical Asia
Vine Length: 3–5 m
Leaf Type: Large trifoliate compound leaves, Leaflet Shape: Ovate, Leaflet Length: 10–15 cm
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate, Flowering Period: July–September
Inflorescence Type: Raceme, Flower Color: White or pink, Flower Shape: Butterfly-shaped, Flower Diameter: 3 cm
Fruit: Pod (Legume), November, Pod Length: 30–50 cm, Seed Color: Pale reddish-brown
Uses: Seeds are used in Chinese medicine and tea. Young pods are an ingredient in fukujinzuke (Japanese pickles).

Related Page:
Sword Bean (Canavalia gladiata) - Flower Database

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