FIELD AND GARDEN CROPS 



OF THE 



NORTH-WEST PROVINCES AND OUDH. 



PART III. 



CANAVALIA ENSIFORMIS, DC* 



[Fide Plate LXXL] 

 Sword bean ; bara sem (Hind.) ; ghalaphul, ghul (Arab.) 



Natural order Leguminosce. A large twining biennial or perennial glabrous herb with tri- 

 foliolate leaves. Flowers in racemes, shortly stalked, red or white. Pods 6 to 9 inches long, con- 

 taining several large seeds, which are usually bright red. 



This plant is grown to a large extent in these Provinces, but not as a field crop. 

 It is sown around the edges of fields, and is frequently to be seen climbing on palings 

 as well as over the roofs of native houses. Varieties with pink or white seeds are also 

 grown. 



The young pods are cooked by natives, either separately and seasoned with various 

 spices, or with other vegetable substances, such as potato, brinjal, ddl, and various sags. 

 The seeds are much used by Muhammadans as a vegetable eaten with meat. A variety 

 with white seeds is considered to be more wholesome. The youDg tender pods are used 

 by Europeans as a substitute for Trench beans. 



A preparation of the leaves burnt in mustard oil is used as an ointment. 



The negroes in the West Indies sow this plant to mark the boundaries of their 

 plantations, and have a notion that it has a protective influence over their property, 

 hence it is called by them " Overlook." 



Explanation of Plate LXXI. 



1 . Lower portion of pod with one valve removed. 3. Vertical section of flower. 



2. Outline of entire pod reduced ^. I 4. Flower, showing the standard. 



• References:— Fl. Br. Ind., II., 195 ; Watt., Diet. Econom. Prod., II., 97 ; Church, Food Grains of India, 144 ; 

 Atkinson, Him. Dist., I., 702. Dolichos gladiatus, Jacq ; Roxb., Fl. Ind. (Clarke's Ed.), 559. C. gladiata, DC ; W. & A 

 Prodr., 253. Rheede Hort. Mai., VIII., t. 44. 



B 



