scimitar-bean

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• scimitar-bean
• sword-bean
• Sword Bean
• sword jackbean

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Canavalia gladiata var. alba
• Canavalia gladiata f. alba
• Cryptophaseolus anamensis
• Dolichos gladiatus
• Dolichos incurvus
• Malocchia gladiata
• Canavalia gladiata var. erythrosperma
• Canavalia ensiformis var. alba
• Canavalia ensiformis var. gladiata
• Canavalia gladiata var. machaeroides
• Canavalia incurva
• Canavalia loureiroi
• Canavalia machaeroides
• Canavalia lunareti
• Canavalia maxima

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further categorized under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Canavalia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range concentrated across several regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is noted within the borders of Guinea. Moving into the West-Central Tropical Africa region, the species can be found in Burundi. Its distribution continues through this central zone to include Rwanda and the Congo. Finally, the plant is also documented as occurring within the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Canavalia gladiata is characterized by its adaptability to diverse environmental settings, ranging from disturbed human landscapes to more preserved natural ecosystems. It is typically found inhabiting anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica), as well as coastal forests (Floresta Ciliar) and gallery forests (Galeria), indicating a capacity to thrive in both modified and riparian habitats. In terms of altitudinal distribution, the species occupies a broad vertical gradient, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 1250 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1250 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria

Life history

The life history of Canavalia gladiata is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental progression—from germination and vegetative growth to flowering and seed production—within a single growing season. As an annual species, it focuses its energy on rapid maturation to ensure reproductive success before the onset of unfavorable environmental conditions. Following the initial germination phase, the plant undergoes a period of vigorous vegetative development, establishing the necessary biomass to support its reproductive structures. Once it reaches maturity, it enters a flowering stage, which is followed by the production and dispersal of seeds that serve as the primary mechanism for survival and the initiation of the next generation in the following year.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Canavalia gladiata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically categorized as a forb. It functions as an obligatory climber, utilizing a liana growth habit to ascend its environment. The plant is terrestrial in nature, existing neither as an epiphyte nor as an aquatic organism, and it maintains an independent life cycle as it is not a parasite. In terms of physical dimensions, the plant typically reaches a mean height of 1 meter, though it has the capacity to reach a maximum height of up to 3 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Canavalia gladiata is characterized by its specific metabolic and nutritional processes, most notably its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway for carbon fixation. This pathway involves the initial fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide into a three-carbon compound through the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a significant role in soil nutrient cycling as it functions as a nitrogen fixer. Through a symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, typically located within specialized root nodules, the plant is capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, thereby enhancing its own protein synthesis and contributing to the nitrogen enrichment of its surrounding ecosystem.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Canavalia gladiata is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. This insect-mediated process is a key component of its reproductive strategy, ensuring genetic exchange through biological vectors. The plant is capable of self-fertilization, a trait that allows for successful seed production even in the absence of external pollinators. Regarding its progeny, the species produces seeds with a highly consistent mass; the seed mass is recorded at a uniform 1.365 g, with the minimum, maximum, and mean values all converging at this specific measurement.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

1.365 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Canavalia gladiata has 5 reported plant parts identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed, fruit, leaf, root, stem.

Seed

1. Frontiers in plant science
2. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
3. Biochimica et biophysica acta
4. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Fruit

1. Frontiers in plant science

Leaf

1. Frontiers in plant science

Root

1. Frontiers in plant science

Stem

1. Frontiers in plant science

Chemicals

Canavalia gladiata has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CONCANAVALIN A, Canavalin, Canavalioside, Flavonoid, GLUTAMIC ACID.

CONCANAVALIN A

1. Plant molecular biology

Canavalin

1. Plant molecular biology

Canavalioside

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Flavonoid

1. Frontiers in plant science

GLUTAMIC ACID

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Guanidinooxypropylamine

1. Biochemical and biophysical research communications

Kaikasaponin III

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

L-dopa

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Robinin

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

STARCH

1. International journal of food sciences and nutrition

Activities

Canavalia gladiata has 73 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Abortifacient, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Antiaggregant, Antiangiogenic.

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Antiaggregant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiangiogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiatherosclerotic

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Journal of medicinal food

Anticancer (Breast)

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic (Breast)

1. Dr. Duke

Anticlimacteric

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Canavalia gladiata has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Cucumber mosaic virus, Potyvirus, Tobacco mosaic virus, cancer, flatulence.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations