Canavalia spp.



The Canavalia genus has about 66 accepted species names of tropical vines. Members of the genus are commonly known as jack-beans. The species of Canavalia endemic to the Hawaiian Islands are fast growing vines with several species being valued legume crops. C. ensiformis makes a beneficial weed- and pathogen-suppressing living mulch and also a source of the lectin concanavalin A, which is used as a reagent in glycoprotein biochemistry and immunology. While C. rosea is supposedly mildly psychoactive when smoked, and is used in tobacco substitutes.