Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Canavalia

Canavalia

9.9
A group of tropical vines and bean plants in the pea family, mainly from the Americas
  • noun
  • /ˌkænəˈveɪliə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Canavalia
  • Some Canavalia species are used as green manure crops to enrich soil.

Examples

  • The species Canavalia ensiformis is commonly known as the jack bean.

  • The Canavalia plant thrives in tropical climates.

  • Botanists discovered a new Canavalia vine growing in the rainforest.

  • Can you identify the Canavalia species in this garden?

  • I saw a beautiful Canavalia vine climbing the trees in the botanical garden.

  • Farmers often plant Canavalia to improve soil fertility and prevent erosion.

  • The researchers took samples of Canavalia to study its potential uses in agriculture.

Compounds

Canavalia ensiformis
  • Specialized
9.9

A bushy tropical plant with long pods and white seeds grown for animal feed and to improve soil

Canavalia gladiata
  • Specialized
9.9

A tropical climbing plant with long pods and beans that people eat in parts of Asia

Surface Forms

Canavalia singular
Canavalias plural

Etymology

Canavalia takes its name from an old local name that early botanists used for these tropical bean plants. A helpful way to remember it is to think of it as the scientific name for a group of 'bean' vines, like the jack bean, that grow in warm countries.