Baybean
Canavalia rosea
- Native to:
- Aldabra, American Samoa, Andaman Is., Angola, Aruba, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Brazil, Burkina, Cambodia, Cameroon, Caroline Is., Cayman Is., Central American Pacific Is., China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, DR Congo, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Guiana, Gabon, Galápagos, Gambia, Ghana, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gulf of Guinea Is., Guyana, Hainan, Haiti, Honduras, India, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jawa, Kazan-retto, Kenya, Kermadec Is., Laos, Leeward Is., Lesser Sunda Is., Liberia, Madagascar, Malaya, Maldives, Mali, Maluku, Marianas, Marquesas, Marshall Is., Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexican Pacific Is., Mexico, Mozambique, Mozambique Channel Is., Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nauru, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Nicaragua, Nicobar Is., Nigeria, Norfolk Is., Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Panamá, Peru, Philippines, Pitcairn Is., Pu
Roger Culos
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Canavalia
- Species:
- Canavalia rosea
- USDA Symbol:
- CARO26
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Vine
- Height:
- 600 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★★★★☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Caribbean pod borer (Fundella pellucens), Faithful Beauty (Composia fidelissima), repugnant azeta moth (Azeta repugnalis), velvetbean caterpillar (Anticarsia gemmatalis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, nutrient-poor, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in coastal environments
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm stratification required — 30–60 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require scarification (nicking or hot water treatment) to break hard seed coat; warm stratification may improve germination.