Sword bean facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sword bean |
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Canavalia
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C. gladiata
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| Canavalia gladiata |
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The sword bean, also known by its scientific name Canavalia gladiata, is a special type of plant. It belongs to the legume family, which includes peas, beans, and lentils. People grow this plant for its long, sword-shaped pods.
In some parts of India, people eat the sword bean as a vegetable. It's also a food source in parts of Africa and Asia. However, it's not usually grown on large farms for selling.
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Discovering the Sword Bean
The sword bean gets its name from its very long pods. These pods can grow quite large, looking a bit like a sword or a scimitar. Its scientific name, Canavalia gladiata, also hints at this. "Gladiata" comes from the Latin word for sword.
What Makes the Sword Bean Special?
The sword bean is a domesticated plant. This means people have grown and changed it over many years. It's part of the large Fabaceae family, which is also called the pea or bean family. This family is known for its ability to help soil.
Where Do Sword Beans Grow?
This plant is found in different parts of the world. It grows naturally in tropical areas of Asia. You can find it in countries like Japan, China, and across tropical Asia. It's also used in central and south central India.
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How Are Sword Beans Used?
People mostly eat the sword bean's pods when they are still young and unripe. At this stage, they are tender and can be cooked like other green beans. They are a good source of nutrients.
Sometimes, the term "sword bean" can be a bit confusing. This is because other similar plants are also called "jack beans." For example, the common jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) is another type of bean. It's important to remember that Canavalia gladiata is the specific plant we call the sword bean.
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