Canavalia ensiformis L. DC (SIMBI)

Simbi is the common name used for pulses.  However, in specific contexts simbi is the name used for nispava, mudga, mudgaparni etc.  However, simbidvaya viz., kola simbi and simbi mentioned in the nighantus should be identified as C. gladiate and C. ensiformis.  The former is known as sword bean while the later is famous as jack bean. The jack bean and the sword bean are very similar and are occasionally grown in home gardens. In both species, pods reach a length of 10-14 inches, and a width of 1 to 1½ inches. Seeds are large, ½-¾ inch long and nearly as broad. The two species differ mainly in the length of the seed hilum (scar). The hilum of sword bean (C. gladiata) is more than one-half the length of the seed, whereas that of the jack bean (C. ensiformis) is only about one-third as long as the seed. Most of the jack beans have white seeds with a black scar, while the sword beans have red seeds. In the Mediterranean the jack bean is eaten by Arabs, Spanish and French people.

Botanical Description – It is a perennial climber or trailer; leaf – trifoliolate; inflorescence – a peduncled raceme; flower – pubescent calyx; fruit – legume.

Chemical Constituents – Concanavalin A etc. The bean is a good sources of protein, 23% to 34%, and carbohydrate 55%. It is also a good source of Ca, Zn, P, Mg, Cu and Ni. Jack bean protein is adequate in most essential amino acids with the exception of methionine and cystine which may be nutritionally limiting. Antinutritional and toxic factors including trypsin inhibitors, hemagglutinins, cyanogen glucosides, oligosaccharides and others are present in jack bean.