Canavalia ensiformis (jack bean)
Index
- Pictures
- Identity
- Summary of Invasiveness
- Taxonomic Tree
- Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Description
- Plant Type
- Distribution
- Distribution Table
- Habitat
- Habitat List
- Biology and Ecology
- Climate
- Air Temperature
- Rainfall
- Soil Tolerances
- Notes on Natural Enemies
- Pathway Causes
- Impact Summary
- Risk and Impact Factors
- Uses
- Uses List
- References
- Links to Websites
- Contributors
- Distribution Maps
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Top of pagePreferred Scientific Name
- Canavalia ensiformis
Preferred Common Name
- jack bean
Other Scientific Names
- Canavalia ensiformis var. alba Makino
- Canavalia ensiformis var. albida DC
- Canavalia ensiformis var. gladiata (Jacq.) Kuntze
- Canavalia ensiformis var. mollis (Wight & Arn.) Baker
- Canavalia ensiformis var. mucunoides Baill.
- Canavalia ensiformis var. truncata Ricker
- Canavalia ensiformis var. turgida Baker
- Canavalia ensiformis var. versicolor Kuntze
- Canavalia ensiformis var. virosa (Roxb.) Baker
- Dolichos ensiformis L.
International Common Names
- English: giant stock-bean; gotani bean; horse-bean; jackbean; seaside-bean; swordbean; wonder bean
- Spanish: frijol espada; haba de burro; judía sable
- French: feve jacques; haricot de Madagascar; haricot sabre; pois gogane
Local Common Names
- Brazil: fava-branca; feijao-bravo; feijao-de-cobra; feijão-de-porco; mangolo
- Cuba: bejuco de bibijaguas; canavalia; frijol de bibijagua; frijol de china; haba de caballo; soplillo
- Germany: Jackbohne; Schwertbohne
- Haiti: garde place; pois maldioc
- Italy: canavalia
- Jamaica: horse bean; overlook bean
- Puerto Rico: canavalia; haba de burro; habichuela playera; mato de playa
- Sweden: jackbona
- West Indies Associated States: one-eye bean
EPPO code
- CNAEN (Canavalia ensiformis)
Summary of Invasiveness
Top of pageCanavalia ensiformis is a vine native to South and Central America that has been introduced in the tropics and subtropics worldwide. It is grown for food, fodder and as a cover crop or green manure. It can grow on depleted soils under harsh environmental conditions and become established in disturbed areas. It is listed in a database of invasive plants in Taiwan and has been identified as a transformer species with the potential to become invasive in Cuba.
Taxonomic Tree
Top of page- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum: Spermatophyta
- Subphylum: Angiospermae
- Class: Dicotyledonae
- Order: Fabales
- Family: Fabaceae
- Subfamily: Papilionoideae
- Genus: Canavalia
- Species: Canavalia ensiformis
Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
Top of pageCanavalia is a pantropical genus in the Fabaceae, containing approximately 50 species of vines (World Flora Online, 2020). The genus is believed to have originated in the New World based on the high diversity in the fossil record in this region (Saur and Kaplan, 1969).
Description
Top of pageThe following description is adapted from Acevedo-Rodríguez (2005):
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 × 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 × 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-coloured.
Distribution
Top of pageCanavalia ensiformis is native to South and Central America and has been found at archaeological sites in Mexico dating from approximately 3000 BC (Smartt, 1985; Chee et al., 1992, USDA-ARS, 2016). It occurs in the tropics of both hemispheres, usually in cultivation, although it has escaped and become naturalized in some areas outside of its native range (Skerman et al., 1991; USDA-ARS, 2016).
Distribution Table
Top of pageThe distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.
Last updated: 17 Dec 2021Continent/Country/Region | Distribution | Last Reported | Origin | First Reported | Invasive | Reference | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Africa |
|||||||
Madagascar | Present | Introduced | Cultivated | ||||
Mozambique | Present | Introduced | Cultivated | ||||
Zimbabwe | Present | Introduced | Cultivated | ||||
Asia |
|||||||
Bhutan | Present | Introduced | 1998 | ||||
China | Present | Introduced | Cultivated | ||||
-Guangdong | Present | Introduced | Cultivated | ||||
-Hainan | Present | Introduced | Cultivated | ||||
India | Present | Introduced | |||||
-Tamil Nadu | Present | ||||||
Japan | Present | Introduced | |||||
Malaysia | Present | Introduced | |||||
Philippines | Present | Introduced | |||||
Taiwan | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
North America |
|||||||
Barbados | Present | Introduced | Cultivated | ||||
Belize | Present | Introduced | Cavo | ||||
Costa Rica | Present | Introduced | |||||
Cuba | Present | Introduced | Naturalized | ||||
Dominica | Present | Introduced | Cultivated | ||||
Dominican Republic | Present | Native | |||||
El Salvador | Present | Introduced | San Salvador | ||||
Grenada | Present | Introduced | |||||
Guadeloupe | Present | Introduced | Basse Terre. Pointe a Pitre | ||||
Guatemala | Present | Introduced | Alta Verapaz, Jutiapa | ||||
Haiti | Present | Introduced | Cultivated | ||||
Honduras | Present | Introduced | Atl?ntida, Francisco Moraz?n | ||||
Jamaica | Present | Introduced | |||||
Martinique | Present | Introduced | Cultivated | ||||
Mexico | Present | Native | Campeche, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Veracruz? | ||||
Nicaragua | Present | Introduced | Cultivated | ||||
Panama | Present | Introduced | Fort Clayton, Panama, Canal area. Cultivated | ||||
Puerto Rico | Present | Introduced | Cultivated | ||||
Saint Lucia | Present | Introduced | Cultivated | ||||
Trinidad and Tobago | Present | ||||||
U.S. Virgin Islands | Present | Introduced | Cultivated | ||||
United States | Present | Introduced | |||||
-Alabama | Present | Introduced | |||||
-Arizona | Present | Introduced | |||||
-Arkansas | Present | Introduced | |||||
-District of Columbia | Present | Introduced | |||||
-Florida | Present | Introduced | |||||
-Georgia | Present | Introduced | |||||
-Hawaii | Present | Introduced | |||||
-Kansas | Present | Introduced | |||||
-Mississippi | Present | Introduced | |||||
-Oklahoma | Present | Introduced | Near Perkins | ||||
-Texas | Present | Introduced | |||||
Oceania |
|||||||
Papua New Guinea | Present | ||||||
South America |
|||||||
Argentina | Present | Introduced | Misiones | ||||
Bolivia | Present | Introduced | Bolivia, La Paz, Santa Cruz. Cultivated | ||||
Brazil | Present | Introduced | Mato Grosso. C?ceres. Villa Maria. | ||||
-Amazonas | Present | Manaus. Estrada Manaus-Itacoatiara | |||||
-Bahia | Present | ||||||
-Distrito Federal | Present | Lagoa Feia, ca. 10 km E. of Sobradinho | |||||
-Minas Gerais | Present | ||||||
-Para | Present | Tom?-Acu. INATAM | |||||
-Parana | Present | ||||||
-Pernambuco | Present | ||||||
-Rio de Janeiro | Present | ||||||
Colombia | Present | Introduced | Antioquia, Caldas, Cundinamarca, Guadalupe, Medell?n, Meta, Santo Domingo | ||||
Ecuador | Present | Native | Esmeraldas, Guayas, Manab?. Cultivated | ||||
French Guiana | Present | Introduced | Escaped from cultivation? | ||||
Guyana | Present | Introduced | Escaped from cultivation? | ||||
Paraguay | Present | Introduced | |||||
Peru | Present | Introduced | Loreto. Requena Province. Yanallpa, Rio Ucayali. Rio Mamon., Amazonas, Cajamarca, Hu?nuco, Jun?n, La Libertad, Lima, San Mart?n. Cultivated | ||||
Suriname | Present | Introduced | |||||
Venezuela | Present | Introduced | Barinas, Cojedes, Distrito Federal, Lara, Monagas, Portuguesa, Sucre, Zulia |
Habitat
Top of pageWhile it thrives in humid lowland tropics, C. ensiformis can also be found at altitudes up to 1800 m. Optimal annual rainfall is between 800-2000 mm but its deep rooting system allows it to withstand dry periods. It grows best at temperatures between 13 and 27°C. It can become established in disturbed areas (National Academy of Sciences, 1979).
Habitat List
Top of pageCategory | Sub-Category | Habitat | Presence | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Terrestrial | Managed | Cultivated / agricultural land | Principal habitat | Natural |
Terrestrial | Managed | Cultivated / agricultural land | Principal habitat | Productive/non-natural |
Terrestrial | Managed | Disturbed areas | Present, no further details | Natural |
Terrestrial | Managed | Disturbed areas | Present, no further details | Productive/non-natural |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Natural forests | Present, no further details | Natural |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Scrub / shrublands | Present, no further details | Natural |
Biology and Ecology
Top of pageGenetics
The chromosome count for C. ensiformis is 2n=22 (Missouri Botanical Garden, 2016)
Reproductive Biology
Canavalia ensiformis is primarily self-pollinated, but is also pollinated by ants, solitary bees and carpenter bees (Sheahan, 2012; Liu et al., 2014). It has low fruit set as only the two or three lowest flowers of the inflorescence node produce pods (Liu et al., 2014)
Longevity
Canavalia ensiformis is an annual or very short-lived perennial (Sheahan 2012).
Environmental Requirements
Canavalia ensiformis can grow continuously under harsh conditions (Udedibie and Carlini, 1998), even in nutrient-depleted, highly leached, acidic soils (National Academy of Sciences, 1979). C. ensiformis is resistant to drought and pests but does not grow well in excessively wet soil (Bunch, 1985). It will drop its leaves under extremely high temperatures, and can tolerate light frosts (Florentin et al., 2004). C. ensiformis tolerates a wide range of rainfall (650-2000mm) evenly distributed throughout the year.
Climate
Top of pageClimate | Status | Description | Remark |
---|---|---|---|
Af - Tropical rainforest climate | Tolerated | > 60mm precipitation per month | |
Am - Tropical monsoon climate | Preferred | Tropical monsoon climate ( < 60mm precipitation driest month but > (100 - [total annual precipitation(mm}/25])) | |
As - Tropical savanna climate with dry summer | Preferred | < 60mm precipitation driest month (in summer) and < (100 - [total annual precipitation{mm}/25]) | |
Aw - Tropical wet and dry savanna climate | Preferred | < 60mm precipitation driest month (in winter) and < (100 - [total annual precipitation{mm}/25]) |
Rainfall
Top of pageParameter | Lower limit | Upper limit | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Mean annual rainfall | 800 | 2000 | mm; lower/upper limits |
Notes on Natural Enemies
Top of pageCanavalia ensiformis contains a number of compounds that increase its resistance to pests and disease. Concanavalin A is a lectin that protects against diseases caused by microorganism infections (NatureServe 2015). The seeds contain high levels of canavanine as a defense against herbivory. Canavanine is toxic as, when consumed, it can take the place of L-arginine during protein synthesis and cause proteins to become malformed. The beetle Caryedes brasiliensis thrives on C. ensiformis seeds as it contains an arginyl-T-RNA synthase that can discriminate between canavanine and L-arginine, allowing it to avoid the toxic effects (Rosenthal 2001).
Pathway Causes
Top of pageCause | Notes | Long Distance | Local | References |
---|---|---|---|---|
Crop production | Yes | Yes | Vargas-Ayala et al. (2000) | |
Habitat restoration and improvement | Yes | Heuzé and Tran (2015) | ||
Live food or feed trade | Yes | Vargas-Ayala et al. (2000) | ||
Medicinal use | Yes | Olowokudejo et al. (2008) |
Impact Summary
Top of pageCategory | Impact |
---|---|
Economic/livelihood | Positive |
Environment (generally) | Positive |
Human health | Positive |
Risk and Impact Factors
Top of page- Proved invasive outside its native range
- Has a broad native range
- Highly adaptable to different environments
- Tolerant of shade
- Fast growing
- Has high genetic variability
Uses
Top of pageEconomic Value
Concanavalin A, a lectin in C. ensiformis, has been used by biochemists to isolate blood group substances (immunoglobulin and glycoprotein), thus becoming an important tool in medical analysis.
Detoxified C. ensiformis seed has been used successfully as a high protein fish meal substitute in tilapia aquaculture (Martinez-Palacios et al., 1988).
Social Benefit
The beans and pods of C. ensiformis are edible, the young pods being cooked as a vegetable (Brücher, 1989) and the whole plant, the pods and seeds are also used to feed animals (Heuzé and Tran, 2015). The beans are mildly toxic, however boiling will remove toxicity if done properly (Sturtevant and Hedrick, 1919). Historically, it was used by native tribes for food and forage in droughty regions of Arizona and Mexico (Sheahan 2012). Now, while commonly consumed in Asia and Japan, C. ensiformis seem to be unpopular elsewhere (National Academy of Sciences, 1979). C. ensiformis, is one of a number of tropical legumes investigated for their potential as an alternative food source to help solve problems of food insecurity and global hunger, as it is extremely hardy (Vargas et al., 1991). C. ensiformis seed has been promoted in developing nations as a potential source of affordable and abundant protein. It has 29.0% protein content (Adebowale and Lawal, 2004).
In Nigeria, C. ensiformis seed is used as an antibiotic and antiseptic (Olowokudejo et al., 2008).
There is also pharmaceutical interest in the use of C. ensiformis as a source for the anti-cancer agent trigonelline and canavanine (Morris, 1999).
Leaves are spread on leafcutter anthills to eliminate ants (Bunch, 1985).
Environmental Services
Canavalia ensiformis is used as a soil improver and is planted for erosion control (Smartt, 1985; Heuzé and Tran, 2015; Madalão et al., 2017). It is used in conservation agriculture with maize and cassava and in Mauritius, it is used as a green manure in sugar cane (Heuzé and Tran, 2015). It has been reported as being antagonistic or suppressive of nematodes, particularly when used for intercropping in banana plantations (Vargas-Ayala et al., 2000), but this effect is disputed (Ternisien et al., 1989; Kashaija et al., 2004).
Uses List
Top of pageAnimal feed, fodder, forage
- Forage
Environmental
- Erosion control or dune stabilization
- Revegetation
- Soil conservation
- Soil improvement
Human food and beverage
- Pulse
- Vegetable
Materials
- Pesticide
Medicinal, pharmaceutical
- Source of medicine/pharmaceutical
References
Top of pageAdebowale KO, Lawal OS, 2004. Comparative study of the functional properties of bambarra groundnut (Voandzeia subterranean), jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis), and mucuna bean (Mucuna pruriens) flours. Food Research International, 37(4), 355-365. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2004.01.009
Bunch R, 1985. Green manure crops. Echo technical note. North Ft. Myers, FL, USA: ECHO.http://people.umass.edu/~psoil370/Syllabus-files/Green_Manure_Crops.pdf
Chee YK, Hacker JB, Ramirez L, Chen CP, 1992. Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC. In: Proseabase, [ed. by Mannetje L't, Jones RM]. Bogor, Indonesia: PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation.http://proseanet.org/prosea/e-prosea_detail.php?frt=&id=1852
Florentin MA, Penalva M, Calegari A, Derpsch R, 2004. Green manure/cover crops and crop rotation in the no-tillage system on small farms. Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of the Republic of Paraguay and the German Technical Cooperation.http://www.fidafrique.net/IMG/pdf/No-Till_SmProp_Chptr_1AF912.pdf
Heuzé V, Tran G, 2015. Jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis). In: Feedipedia, INRA, CIRAD, AFZ and FAO.http://www.feedipedia.org/node/327
Howard RA, 1988. Leguminosae. In: Flora of the Lesser Antilles, Leeward and Windward Islands, Volume 4. Dicotyledoneae Part 1, Jamaica Plain, MA, USA: Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University. 334-538.
Morris JB, 1999. Legume genetic resources with novel “value added” industrial and pharmaceutical use. In: Perspectives on new crops and new uses, [ed. by Janick J]. Alexandria, VA, USA: ASHS Press. 196–201. http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1999/v4-196.html
NatureServe, 2015. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life. Version 7.1. Arlington, Virginia, USA: NatureServe.http://explorer.natureserve.org
Olowokudejo JD, Kadiri AB, Travih VA, 2008. Ethnobotanical survey of herbal markets and medicinal plants in Lagos Nigeria. Ethnobotanical Leaflets, 12, 851-865. http://www.ethnoleaflets.com/leaflets/lagos.htm
Sauer, J., 1964. Revision of Canavalia. Brittonia, 16(2), 106-81. doi: 10.2307/2805094
Saur J, Kaplan L, 1969. Canavalia beans in American prehistory. American AntiquitY, 34(4), 417- 424.
Sheahan CM, 2012. Plant guide for jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis). Cape May, NJ, USA: USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Cape May Plant Materials Center.
Skerman PJ, Cameron DG, Riveros F, 1991. Leguminosas forrajeras tropicales, Rome, Italy: FAO.707 pp.
Sturtevant EL, Hedrick UP, 1919. Sturtevant's Notes on Edible Plants. Albany, New York, USA.http://www.henriettes-herb.com/eclectic/sturtevant/index.html
Ternisien E, Melin P, 1989. (Etude des rotations culturales en bananeraie. Première partie: bilan des cultures de rotation). Fruits, 44, 373-383.
Vargas R, León A, Escobar A, 1991. Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC:. Producción, Procesamiento y Utilización en Alimentación Animal, Maracay, Venezuela: Editorial Futuro.97-112.
Vargas-Ayala R, Rubiano JA, Saavedra ED, 2000. Sustainable and integrated management of plantain-parasitic nematodes based on an intercropping system with tropical legumes. In: Abstracts of the XXXI annual meeting of ONTA 16-20 April 2000 . Auburn, Alabama, USA: Organization of Nematologists of Tropical America. http://brokert10.fcla.edu/DLData/SN/SN00995444/0030_002/113_154.pdf
Distribution References
CABI Data Mining, Undated. CAB Abstracts Data Mining.,
Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2010. Fabaceae (Leguminosae). Flora of China., 10 St. Louis, Missouri and Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA: Missouri Botanical Garden and Harvard University Herbaria. 1-577. http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/mss/volume10/FOC_10_Fabaceae_all.pdf
Guinea Lopez E, 1946. Ensayo geobotanico de la Guinea continental espanola. 389 pp.
Hyde MA, Wursten BT, Ballings P, Coates Palgrave M, 2016. Flora of Mozambique., http://www.mozambiqueflora.com/index.php
Lemee A, 1952. Flora de la Guayane Francaise. Legumineuses Vol 2. Paris, France: P. Lechevalier.
Lewis GP, 1987. Legumes of Bahia., Kew, UK: Royal Botanic Gardens.
Madagascar Catalogue, 2016. Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Madagascar., St. Louis, Missouri; Antananarivo, USA; Madagascar: Missouri Botanical Garden. http://www.tropicos.org/project/mada
Sauer J, 1964. Revision of Canavalia. Brittonia. 16 (2), 106-81. DOI:10.2307/2805094
Links to Websites
Top of pageWebsite | URL | Comment |
---|---|---|
GISD/IASPMR: Invasive Alien Species Pathway Management Resource and DAISIE European Invasive Alien Species Gateway | https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.m93f6 | Data source for updated system data added to species habitat list. |
Contributors
Top of page22/02/17 Original text by:
Eduardo A. Ventosa Febles, Consultant, Puerto Rico
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