Question 1

What is Canavalia rosea used for in Ayurveda?

Accepted Answer

In Sri Lankan Ayurvedic tradition, Canavalia rosea has been used primarily in external applications, including leaf poultices for swelling and joint pain. Seed and root preparations appear in some folk medicine contexts for fever and digestive complaints, though these uses vary by region and practitioner.

Question 2

Where does Canavalia rosea grow in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Canavalia rosea grows naturally along Sri Lanka's sandy coastlines, particularly on beaches and dune systems that experience relatively low disturbance. It is found on both the west and south coasts as well as the drier northern and eastern shores.

Question 3

Is Canavalia rosea safe to eat?

Accepted Answer

The raw seeds of Canavalia rosea contain anti-nutritional compounds and should not be consumed without thorough processing. While related cultivated species are used as food crops in some regions, bay bean is not commonly eaten in Sri Lanka and is not treated as a food plant in current practice.

Question 4

What does Canavalia rosea look like?

Accepted Answer

It is a trailing or sprawling vine with broad, oval leaflets arranged in groups of three. The flowers are distinctively rose-pink to purple with the typical pea-flower shape, and the seed pods are long and firm. The plant grows low across sandy ground rather than climbing vertically.

Question 5

What is the ecological role of Canavalia rosea on beaches?

Accepted Answer

Canavalia rosea is a nitrogen-fixing legume that enriches nutrient-poor sandy soils, aiding the establishment of other plant species. Its root system helps stabilise coastal dunes and reduce erosion, making it a valuable pioneer species in beach and dune ecosystems.

Question 6

How does Canavalia rosea differ from other beach plants in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

The combination of trifoliate leathery leaves, rose-purple pea-shaped flowers, and thick elongated pods distinguishes Canavalia rosea from most other coastal plants. It is often confused with beach morning glory, which has funnel-shaped flowers and belongs to a different plant family entirely.

Question 7

Is Canavalia rosea a native species in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Canavalia rosea is considered a pantropical coastal species with a native or naturalised range spanning the Indo-Pacific, including Sri Lanka. It is well adapted to local coastal conditions and has been part of Sri Lanka's coastal flora for a very long time, appearing in traditional Ayurvedic botanical records.