Canavalia ensiformis

General Description:

Canavalia ensiformis, this species, a native of West Indies, is cultivated to a limited extent in India. It is an annual, semi-erect, bushy legume, growing to a height of 20cm. and bearing sword-shaped pods, 8-15 in. long and about 1 in broad. The pods contain 10-12 white seeds, sword shaped, seeds narrowly ellipsoid, white, smooth, each having a brown hilum extending to half the length of the seed. Flowers are white with red base about 2.5cm long, few, on stout axis. Propagation is done by seed. It is drought resistant and immune to many pests. Its seed contains Protein, fat, crude fibre,nitrogen free extact.