Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC.
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Authority
Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro. 2005. Vines and climbing plants of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 51: 1-483.
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Family
Fabaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Description - Slightly woody vine, twining, attaining 1-2 m in length. Stems cylindrical, puberulent, glabrescent, with the pith hollow. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets chartaceous, broadly ovate or broadly elliptical, 6-20 x 5-12 cm, the apex obtuse or rounded, short-apiculate, the base obtuse, asymmetrical on the lateral leaflets, the margins entire; both surfaces strigulose, punctate; petiole and rachis cylindrical, glabrescent; petiolules swollen, ca. 8 mm long. Inflorescences of axillary pseudoracemes, 25-36 cm long, with 2-3 flowers grouped on the nodal swellings along the rachis; pedicels 1-2 mm long, glabrescent. Calyx green, campanulate, 12-14 mm long, bilabiate; corolla pale violet, ca. 2 cm, the standard and the wings white at the base, violet on the distal portion. Legume linear, up to 30 x 3.5 cm, woody, slightly curved toward the apex, each valve with three longitudinal ribs. Seeds 15-20, ellipsoid, up to 3 cm long, white or cream-colored.
Phenology - Unknown.
Conservation Status - Exotic, known only in cultivation, not very common.