This name is not universally accepted, with some treatments referring to the plant as Canavalia maritima Thouars (treated here as a synonym)[].

Common Name:

General Information

Canavalia rosea is a perennial herb with a trailing or climbing stem growing 2 - 10 metres long and becoming somewhat woody with age[310.
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Widespread throughout the coastal regions of the tropics and subtropics.

Habitat

Along sea coasts and on the edges of coastal bushland, often in association with Ipomoea pes-caprae[]. It is occasionally found inland along roadsides or lake shores[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	5.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of mainly coastal areas through much of the tropics and subtropics.

Plants flower throughout the year, even in the subtropics[].
The seeds are buoyant and impermeable to water[] - they are thus able to float considerable distances in the sea, thereby explaining the plants wide distribution[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

Flowers - eaten as a flavouring[].

Young pods[]. Boiled[].

Young seeds - cooked[]. Said to make a good pease porridge[]. The seeds serve as an important source of dietary protein in West Africa and Nigeria[].

Medicinal

The root is diuretic. It contains a bitter and purgative principle. It is steeped in vinegar and used for gargles[].

An infusion of the seed is used as a purgative[].

The juice from the petioles is applied to puncture wounds from thorns or other sharp objects[].

A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of rheumatism[].
A paste of the leaves is used as a treatment for boils[].

The dried leaves have been used as an entheogen, a component to some ancient rituals[].
The seeds are ingested or smoked with the dried leaves as a marijuana substitute[].
There is an increasing in following for its use as a marijuana substitute[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is a spontaneous sand binder on beaches; it is occasionally cultivated as a cover crop in plantations[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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