| Hyacinth Bean | |
| Lablab purpurea (Dolichos lablab) | |
| a.k.a. xx |
Climbing annual appreciated for its pretty purple flowers and striking purple colored fruits.
Description: Annual vine,
usually to about 10ft, but it can grow up to 30ft. All parts
of the plant are shaded purple and it is commonly planted for its edible
beans as well as ornamental look. The plant is a nitrogen fixer.
Hardiness: Not frost hardy. Can be grown in any climate as an annual.
Growing Environment: The hyacinth bean is
a warm weather bean and extremely easy to grow. It does best in sunny
locations and prefers consistent watering throughout the growing season.
Provide some sort of structure for plants to grow up. Will grow in most
soils and does well in poor soils.
Propagation: By seeds.
Uses: Usually grown as an ornamental. The pods are eaten, but must be boiled prior to use.
Native Range: Native to tropical Africa.