Scientific Name
Dolichos lablab (Lablab purpureus)
Common Name
Hyacinth bean, lablab, dolichos bean

TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN.

Characteristics

Family
Fabaceae
Plant Description
Annual, twining vine with purplish stems and alternate, pinnately divided leaves with 3 large leaflets; flowers in elongated clusters, pea-shaped and white, pink, or purple; fruit a flat, often curved maroon or purplish pod with 3-5 black seeds.
Origin
Tropical Africa.
Where Found
Landscape as cultivated ornamental herbaceous, frost tender vine.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
Pods and seeds.
Symptoms
Weakness, vomiting, labored breathing, twitching, stupor, convulsions.
Edibility
EDIBLE PARTS: Pods and seeds edible if thoroughly boiled, changing the water several times.
Toxic Principle
Cyanogenic glycoside.
Severity
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN.

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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