Karuthamma
Canavalia virosa

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A climbing plant. It keeps growing from year to year. The stems are hairy when young. The leaves have 3 leaflets. These are 6-18 cm long by 4-15 cm wide. They are broadly oval and taper to the tip. They are hairy on both surfaces. The fruit are pods 10-17 cm long by about 3 cm wide. They are brown and hairy. The seeds are narrowly oval and reddish-brown with black markings.

There are about 50 Canavalia species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Bangladesh, Benin, Central Africa, East Africa, India, Indochina, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, West Africa, Yemen

How it is used for food

The pods are cooked and eaten. The young seeds are also eaten. The seeds are used for coffee.

It is locally important in Myanmar.

Edible parts

Seeds, pods, seeds - coffee

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kalasima, Kalo-shim

Synonyms

Canavalia ensiformis var. virosa (Roxb.) Baker; Dolichos polystachios Forsk.; Dolichos virosus Roxb.;