Canavalia | |
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Canavalia sericea | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Fabales |
Family: | Fabaceae |
Subfamily: | Faboideae |
Tribe: | Diocleae |
Genus: | Canavalia DC.[1] |
Species[1] | |
62; see text | |
Synonyms[1] | |
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Canavalia is a genus of plants in the legume family (Fabaceae) that comprises approximately 62 species of tropical vines.[1] Members of the genus are commonly known as jack-beans. It has a pantropical distribution.[1]
The species of Canavalia endemic to the Hawaiian Islands were named ʻāwikiwiki by the Native Hawaiians. The name translates to "the very quick one"[2] and comes from the Hawaiian word for "fast". The genus name is derived from the Malabar word for the species, kavavali, which means "forest climber."[3]