68 The Philippine Journal of Science lais 



types of both classes of Limas have been developed and are 

 rapidly taking the place of the climbing types. These are all 

 annuals. 



1 ablab or batao (Dolichos lablab). — The history of the lablab 

 is rather obscure. (5) It is grown extensively in both Asia and 

 Africa, and de CandoUe believed that it grew wild in India. 

 The lablab is cultivated more in southern Asia than perhaps any 

 other legume. The batao is one of the commonest legumes in 

 the Philippines and is found both cultivated and "in a wild 

 state." (8) 



The lablab is a glabrous, twining vine whose stems are often 

 purplish. The flowers may be pink, purple, or nearly white. 

 The pods are oblong, wide, and flattened and may be reddish 

 purple, dark green, or white. There are several types, (7) most 

 of the differences occurring in the color and size of the pods. 



Cowpea, or paayap [Vigna cylindrica (V. unguiculata, V. 

 catjang)}. — While the cowpea is not a true bean, it may be 

 classed with the latter because of the close relationship. It is 

 a native of India (2) and was introduced into America during 

 the latter half of the seventeenth century. In India the cowpea 

 is a rank-growing vine, but in Europe and America the bush 

 types are practically the only ones grown. 



The cowpea is readily recognized by its long, slender, cylin- 

 drical pods. These are usually pale green, but one (V. sinensis) 

 produces red pods. 



While the cowpea is a coarse legume, it is usually productive, 

 and the young, tender pods are very palatable if properly pre- 

 pared. The points in favor of the Vigna group are their hardi- 

 ness and ability to produce a remunerative crop in almost any 

 type of soil. 



Sword bean (Canavalia gladiata) . — Though the sword bean 

 is not a native of the Philippines, four species of the genus, 

 according to Merrill, occur here; Canavalia gladiata is the only 

 one considered to be a food legume. MacMillan(7) quotes Fir- 

 minger as stating that the sword bean is considered by some 

 Europeans to be the "nicest of native vegetables in India." 



The edible sword bean {Canavalia gladiata) is a climbing vine 

 with very large leaves and flowers. The pods are long, broad, 

 and flat, and each contains several large red beans. The pods 

 are used when young and tender, being cut into slices and used 

 as a vegetable. This bean is supposed to have been described 

 first from Brazil, though there are many species scattered 

 throughout the tropics of the world. 



