A vigorous, ornamental, annual vine, purple hyacinth bean plant (Dolichos lablab or Lablab purpurea), displays beautiful, pinkish-purple blossoms and interesting, reddish-purple pods that grow to be about the same size as lima bean pods.

Are hyacinth beans edible?

Purple hyacinth bean is often grown as a flowering plant, although most of the plant is edible. With shades of purple in the leaves, stems, flowers, and showy seed pods, it is undeniably eye-catching.

Are hyacinth bean vines poisonous?

Mature hyacinth beans and pods contain cyanogenic glocosides, and they are toxic when raw.

Is hyacinth bean invasive?

The hyacinth bean is not invasive.

Do hummingbirds like hyacinth bean vine?

This appears to be a Lablab purpureus (Hyacinth Bean) vine grown almost entirely for its attractive flowers and purple seed pods. Its flowers are beautiful and fragrant which and attract butterflies and hummingbirds, and it even produces edible leaves, flowers, pods, seeds and roots.

Do deer eat hyacinth bean vines?

Deer and birds are attracted to these pods. High in protein and vitamin B complex, hyacinth beans have been eaten for centuries all around the world. Because of toxins in the mature beans, hyacinth bean must be cooked thoroughly before eating.

What are hyacinth beans good for?

Hyacinth beans contain a sufficient quantity of potassium which strengthens muscles and lessens muscle cramps. Minerals such as selenium, manganese and zinc also help tackle lung and respiratory diseases. This vegetable is a great mood booster as it contains amino acids which help to balance hormones.

Do hyacinth beans taste good?

Immature Hyacinth beans are edible, though they may not taste as good as most other beans. Once mature the beans contain cyanogenic glucosides, antimicrobial agents the plant produces that create a bitter taste and if not cooked properly can be toxic.

How do I save my hyacinth bean vine seeds?

A: These are easy. Just let some of the pods dry and brown on the vines, then open the pods and remove the lima-bean-like seeds. I’ve had no problem storing the seeds in an envelope at room temperature over winter. Some people seal them in jars and store in a refrigerator.

How fast does hyacinth bean vine grow?

Hyacinth Bean Vine is a fast growing, flowering vine, with pretty purple flowers. If you’re looking for an annual flowering vine that grows at a stellar pace, the Hyacinth Bean Vine is for you. It grows 10′ – 15′ in a single season!

Are hyacinth bean flowers edible?

Flower with a cause, Hyacinth Bean is an edible fruit bearing plant. The purple flowers sheath under them the velvety pods which are edible in various ways. Abundantly grown in the tropical and subtropical regions of Southern Asia and China, the Hyacinth bean vine is a twining vine which shelters purple or white flowers under its branches.

Is hyacinth bean vine invasive?

Nutritious yet slightly poisonous, tropical yet ideal as an annual in temperate gardens, fast-growing yet not invasive—that’s the hyacinth bean vine (Dolichos lablab or Lablab purpureus), one of the easiest plants to grow for food or for decoration.

Are purple hyacinth beans poisonous?

Even though purple hyacinth bean is an edible plant in many parts of the world, it is mostly considered an ornamental in our area. One of the reasons is that raw beans are poisonous and must be properly cooked before eaten. Because of the toxicity of the beans, it is best to plant in the ornamental garden rather than the edible garden.