Definition

Noun: 1. A perennial climbing vine: A plant species native to the Old World tropics, characterized by its twining growth habit, compound leaves with three leaflets, and clusters of fragrant, purple, pea-shaped flowers. It produces maroon-colored pods containing edible seeds. It is cultivated for ornamental purposes, as a vegetable crop (for its seeds, pods, and leaves), and for forage, particularly in the Indian subcontinent. It is also known scientifically as Dolichos lablab.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Lablab purpureus is a versatile legume grown in many tropical regions.
  • The farmer planted Lablab purpureus along the fence for both food and shade.
  • Researchers are studying the drought tolerance of Lablab purpureus.

Advanced Usage

• Common Names: In general usage, this plant is rarely referred to by its scientific name alone. It is more commonly known as lablab bean, hyacinth bean, Indian bean, or Egyptian bean.
  • The hyacinth bean, or Lablab purpureus, is climbing the trellis beautifully.

Variants and Related Words

• Lablab (n): A shortened, common form of the full botanical name .
  • Lablab is an important cover crop.
• Hyacinth bean (n): The most widespread common name for this plant.
  • We are cooking the young pods of the hyacinth bean.

Synonyms

• Hyacinth bean: The primary synonym in common gardening and agricultural use.
• : A former, synonymous botanical name still used in some contexts.

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