Definition

1. Noun:
   • A perennial twining vine of Old World tropics: The "Egyptian bean" is a plant species characterized by its trifoliate leaves, racemes of fragrant purple pea-like flowers, and maroon pods containing edible seeds.
   • An ornamental and food plant: It is cultivated both for decorative purposes and as a vegetable, particularly on the Indian subcontinent.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The garden featured a beautiful trellis covered with Egyptian bean.
  • Farmers in the region cultivate the Egyptian bean for its nutritious seeds.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical contexts: The term is used to specifically refer to the species (sometimes formerly placed in genus ).
  • The Egyptian bean, scientifically known as Lablab purpureus, is a drought-tolerant legume.

Variants and Related Words

• Lablab bean (n): Another common name for the same plant.
• Hyacinth bean (n): A widely used synonym for the Egyptian bean.
• Bonavist bean (n): A less common variant name.

Synonyms

• Lablab purpureus: The scientific binomial name.
• Hyacinth bean: The most common alternative vernacular name.

Related Phrases

• Egyptian bean vine: Specifies the climbing growth habit of the plant.
  • The Egyptian bean vine quickly covered the fence.

Notes

• The "Egyptian bean" is not a true bean in the botanical sense (like common beans in the genus ) but is a legume with edible seeds and pods.

Noun

1. perennial twining vine of Old World tropics having trifoliate leaves and racemes of fragrant purple pea-like flowers followed by maroon pods of edible seeds; grown as an ornamental and as a vegetable on the Indian subcontinent; sometimes placed in genus Dolichos