Hyacinth Bean (Lablab purpureus)

Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Bloom Color: Pink. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early fall, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Spreading or horizontal.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves, Roots/Tubers, Flowers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

mild flavour, is rich in protein and can be used as a staple food. — The mature seed is edible as long as it is thoroughly cooked.; It has a mild flavour, is rich in protein and can be used as a staple food.; The seed can also be prepared as 'tofu' or be fermented into 'tempeh' in the same way that soya beans are used in Japan.; The seed can also be sprouted and eaten raw, when it is comparable to mung bean sprouts.

Habitat & North American Range

Not known in a truly wild situation. (Zone 9)