Baybean
Canavalia rosea
- Native to:
- Aldabra, 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, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, 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., 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., Palau, Panamá, Peru, Philippines, Pitcairn Is., Puerto Rico, Réunion, Rodrigues, Samoa, Santa Cruz Is., Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Society Is.
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:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- 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:
- sea turtles, coastal stabilization
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- 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:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Hard seed coat benefits from scarification or soaking in water for 24 hours before planting. Seeds germinate readily once scarified.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI