This relative of the African Jack Bean is known botanically as Canavalia rosea, and has similar growth habits and uses in the kitchen. Cooking drives off the low levels of cyanogenic glucossides in the "beans". Expect rampant vine growth once the summer heat kicks in as it is a Florida native. The pods are smaller though, and to me the blooms are even more fragrant. Last year my plant froze to the ground then came up with a vegeance in summer......I will be curious if it somehow survived THIS winter. If a northern gardener decides to be a guinea pig and try this crop in their region, please keep me posted as to the results. The flavor of the cooked beans in the pods is similar to boiled peanuts with a touch of butter bean...use very young immature pods whole in stir fry and soups. Be sure to let several pods ripen and turn dry and tan this fall to insure you have seeds for future crops. You will get 10 seeds for $4 and a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope sent to me at:
John Starnes 3212 West Paxton Avenue Tampa FL 33611
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