Bean, Jack — Canavalia ensiformis (L.) D.C.Bean, Sword — Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.) D.C.1
jack bean.
DESCRIPTION
In both species, pods reach a length of 10-14 inches, and a width of 1 to 1½ inches. Seeds are large, ½-¾ inch long and nearly as broad. The two species differ mainly in the length of the seed hilum (scar). The hilum of sword bean (C. gladiata) is more than one-half the length of the seed, whereas that of the jack bean (C. ensiformis) is only about one-third as long as the seed. Most of the jack beans identified in Gainesville have been white with a black seed scar, while the sword beans have been red seeded. CULTURE
There probably are many varietal and environmental variations in the growth habit of the plants; however, it appears that the jack bean plant is bushy in comparison with the vining nature of the sword bean plant. One North Florida gardener noted that one sword bean plant covered his entire garden of 400 square feet. USE
Neither bean has commercial importance in this country. Both are reported to be edible in the young tender immature stage by slicing and boiling the tender pods, or peeling and using the seeds as broad beans. Also, reports have indicated the possibility of mild toxicity of beans when eaten in large quantities. Because of this, the boiling water should be drained off to remove any poisonous substances coming from the beans. Pharmaceutical companies have shown some interest in the beans as a possible source of the enzyme urease, and a few acres have been tried in Florida for that purpose. Footnotes
1. This document is HS553, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date April 1994. Reviewed May 2003. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
2. James M. Stephens, professor, Horticultural Sciences Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611.The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal
Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational
information and other services only to individuals and institutions
that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed,
color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital
status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations.
For more information on obtaining other extension publications,
contact your county Cooperative Extension service.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service,
University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative
Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean.
