coastal plants
Kachang laut
Canavalia maritima

Family Leguminosae

updated Aug 09
Where seen? This climber with large lilac flowers and dark green leaves is sometimes seen on our wild coastal areas. According to Hsuan Keng, it was common on our seashores including Changi. It was previously known as Canavalia rosea.

Features: The climber (2-10m long) creeps over other coastal plants. The end of the plant sometimes twines and often it roots from the nodes. Leaves with three fleshy, oval leaflets (3-15cm). Flowers reddish-violet with a white streak down the middle, and are upside down when fully opened. Several flowers on a long stalk. They are sweetly scented. Fruits are bean-like pods, straight or faintly curved (6-15 cm long) with 2-10 seeds.

Human uses: According to Burkill, the Malays use the flowers as flavouring, the young seeds are said to make a good peas porridge and the pods are edible when young. According to Giesen, young pods and seeds are edible after (prolonged) boiling. Flower used as spice. The plant is considered suitable as ground cover against soil erosion on eroding coastal lands.

Pulau Semakau, Apr 09

Pulau Semakau, Mar 09

Links

  • Giesen, Wim and Stephan Wulffraat, Max Zieren and Liesbeth Scholten. 2006. Mangrove Guidebook for Southeast Asia (PDF online downloadable). RAP publication 2006/07 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Bangkok.

References

www.flickr.com
FREE photos of coastal plants. Make your own badge here.
Buy in Singapore
Nature's Niche

books, gifts, optics
links | references | about | email Ria
Spot errors? Have a question? Want to share your sightings? email Ria I'll be glad to hear from you!
wildfactsheets website©ria tan 2008