Plant Details

Scientific Name: Canavalia rosea
  • Pronunciation: can-ah-VAL-ee-ah ROSE-ee-ah
  • Common Name: Jack Bean of the Beaches, Wild Jack Bean, Beach Bean
  • Derivation: Canavalia: Malabar name - kanavali
    rosea: 
  • Type: Trailing, Groundcover
  • Family: Fabaceae
  • Flowers: Lilac, mauve, pink - Most of the year
  • Fruit: Pod
  • Vegetation Type: Seacoast, Coastal dunes
  • Species List: Bush food, Bush medicine, Emu Mt., NLTalks2010, Peregian Boardwalk, NNP Coastal, Fraser Island, Batianoff 87, BHNR

Cultural Notes

TAKE CARE! Some information about bush foods and medicines may be anecdotal. Correct identification and preparation is essential: 

Bush medicine: mashed root infusion rubbed on for aches and pains.

Bush food: Seeds and Pods edible after boiling. Raw beans POISONOUS

Landscaping Notes

Suitable Plant for appropriate soil conditions (see Vegetation type)

Sun, part-shade, rockeries. 

Sandy soils.

Successfully propagated by Coolum Community Native Nursery.

Successfully propagated by Tin Can Bay City Farm Nursery.

  • Canavalia rosea
  • Canavalia rosea
  • Canavalia rosea
  • Canavalia rosea
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