Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet
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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 3-7 m in length. Stems slightly angular, pilose. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; leaflets 5-16 x 4.5-12 cm, broadly ovate or rhombic, chartaceous, the apex acute or acuminate, the base cuneate or truncate on the central leaflet, unequal on the lateral ones, the margins entire, ciliate; upper surface dull, pubescent, with prominent venation; lower surface with the venation reticulate, prominent, pubescent; petiolules thickened, pubescent; petioles 6-20 cm long, canaliculate, laterally flattened, thickened at the base; stipules lanceolate, ca. 5 mm long, persistent; stipels subulate. Inflorescences of axillary pseudoracemes, erect, up to 25 cm long, the flowers 2-3, grouped on the swellings along the rachis; pedicels 4-5 mm long. Calyx campanulate, green, pubescent, 6-7 mm long, the sepals 4 or 5, unequal, lanceolate; corolla white or pale violet, the standard rounded. 1.4-2 cm long, the wings oblanceolate, the keel as long as the wings; stamens 1 0, diadelphous; ovary flattened, the style curved, the stigma terminal. Legume 5-10 x 2-3 cm, almost oblong, broader in the portion near the apex, the upper margin with numerous callosities, the apex acuminate, tardily dehiscent. Seeds 3-5, up to I cm long, ovate or elliptical, flattened, light brown, with a white funiculus.
Phenology - Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.
Conservation Status - Exotic, naturalized, rather common.
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Common Names
chicharos, frijol caballero, habas de caballo, bona wiss, sweet pea