Hyacinth Beans

Dolichos lablab L.

Other names: Dolichos bean, seim bean, lablab bean, Bonavist, Chicaros, Chink, Egyptian bean, Pharao, Seem, Val, Bian Dou.

Hyacinth bean is a Short-Day annual vine plant. It needs a trellis or fence for support. It grows vigorously. The pods are semi-Moon shaped, most are green color and some are red or purple color.

The immature pods are harvested for vegetable, but must be cooked (boiled, stir fry, etc). They tasted a little bitter but delicious. The pods can not be eaten raw due to the presence of toxic cyanogenic glycosides.

Hyacinth bean can also be planted for ornamental purposes.