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Canavalia cathartica

Thouars (1813)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Fabales Family: Fabaceae Genus: Canavalia

ground jack bean, maunaloa

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Perennial climbers, branches twining.

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves compound (trifoliate). Alternate. Leaflets broadly ovate to ovate or sometimes broadly elliptic, (3.5–)8–12(–20) cm long, (2.5–)6–10(–14) cm wide. Apex acuminate or acute, occasionally rounded. Surfaces sparsely appressed pubescent primarily on nerves of lower surface. Leaflets chartaceous. Leaflet margins entire, wavy. Petiolate. Stipules present small, caducous. Leaflet stipels minute.

Flowers: Flowers 10–26 in pendulous pseudoracemes 4–12 cm long. Flowers papilionaceous; bracteoles present, caducous. Calyx 13–18 mm long, sparsely appressed pubescent, the margins of upper lip not folded, the upper edge constricted just behind apex, upper lip hemispherical, 3–3.5 mm long, the 2 lobes distinct, lowest lobe 1.5–2 mm long. Calyx bilabiate, 5-lobed, the upper lip large and with 2 lobes connate along the upper margin, the lower lip trifid. Corolla rose, standard with a white spot at base, obcordate, 30–32 mm long, wing petals not twisted, 28–30 mm long, keel petals 28–35 mm long. Stamens 10; upper stamen distinct at base, loosely adhering to the other 9 up to middle, the other 9 connate into a tube. Ovary superior, stipitate; ovules 5–20; style incurved, glabrous; stigma small, terminal.

Fruit: Pods straight or slightly curved; inflated; 8–13.5 cm long; 3–4.5 cm wide; each valve with a sutural ridge and an additional longitudinal ridge 3–6 mm below the upper suture. Seeds dark reddish brown; becoming dark brown; somewhat compressed; 14–19 mm long; 9–12 mm wide; the hilum 9–14 mm long. Seeds transversely arranged; ellipsoid; hilum elongated; oblong; with a small; papery; persistent rim–aril.

Ploidy:

Habitat: Dry to mesic; open; disturbed sites; sometimes coastal; often climbing over trees or rocks.

Elevation Range: 6–280 m.

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

  • Yes

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) Potentially naturalizing
Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized
Nihoa Potentially naturalizing

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: J. Bot. Agric. 1: 81 (1813)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:651 (K, O, Mo, M, H); Staples & Herbst 2005:310 (DESCR); Frohlich 2020:31 (N); Rachel Rounds pers. comm. 2025 (N†, 2019)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Canavalia cathartica Halawa Valley Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 123 Molokai BISH 1927-06-27
2 Canavalia cathartica Hwy. 50; just west of Puhi Preserved_Specimen Vine growing up into Hibiscus tiliaceus. Standard lavender, wings pink. Flynn, T.W. 1200 Kauai BISH 1985-09-04
3 Canavalia cathartica Along Halawa Stream in Kukui forest Preserved_Specimen Fl. deep rose colored. Ozaki, E.T. 831 Oahu BISH 1953-12-01
4 Canavalia cathartica Maunaloa, on the beach at Waimanu valley HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 11/27/2010
5 Canavalia cathartica Along trail on the Kawa side of the valley. Pass the main gate along the border of marsh land in open area. Creeping over grass cover Preserved_Specimen Quite common with purple flowers Herat, T. 154 Oahu BISH 1972-08-14
6 Canavalia cathartica Wailua Homestead area, S.W. side of Nonou Mts Preserved_Specimen Prob. introduced species. Fl. pinkish-white; vines along roadside. Stone, B.C. 3716 Kauai BISH 1961-08-10
7 Canavalia cathartica Pololu Valley, North Kohala Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 25496 Hawaii BISH 1954-12-30
8 Canavalia cathartica Moanalua Gardens Preserved_Specimen Pearsall, G.A. Oahu BISH
9 Canavalia cathartica Kalaupapa beach Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 14031 Molokai BISH 1918-05-23
10 Canavalia cathartica East Maui, Hana Preserved_Specimen vine Handy, E.S. 3325 Maui BISH 1933-06-29
11 Canavalia cathartica Waipio Trail, Hamakua Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 24007 Hawaii BISH 1950-01-01
12 Canavalia cathartica Honolulu, Birch St Preserved_Specimen High-climbing, fast-growing annual; fls. lavender Pukui, M.K. Oahu BISH 1944-05-05
13 Canavalia cathartica Halawa Beach (W. Garnett 89-43), Waimea Arboretum, Halei'wa Preserved_Specimen Orr, D. 45 Oahu BISH 1995-10-24
14 Canavalia cathartica Honolulu, Kalihi Street. On fence back of Bishop Musem Preserved_Specimen Flowers rose-lavender, fragrant. Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1945-08-22
15 Canavalia cathartica Honolulu, Manoa Valley by Chinese Cemetery Preserved_Specimen Wild plants. Flowers rose-pink. Pods unripe Edmondson, C.H. Oahu BISH 1944-09-08
16 Canavalia cathartica Anini Reef Preserved_Specimen Leaves shiny above dark green, below pale green; stems bright green, pods brown inflated; calyx green; standard with white eye and sunburst on lower third, the rest Pale Amparo Purple (pl. XI, Ridgway); anther third of wings Light Pinkish Lilac (pl. XXXVII) Au, S. Kauai BISH 1953-11-09
17 Canavalia cathartica Kalaupapa beach Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 14031 Molokai BISH 1918-05-23
18 Canavalia cathartica Anini Reef Preserved_Specimen Leaves shiny above dark green, below pale green; stems bright green, pods brown inflated; calyx green; standard with white eye and sunburst on lower third, the rest Pale Amparo Purple (pl. XI, Ridgway); anther third of wings Light Pinkish Lilac (pl. XXXVII) Au, S. Kauai BISH 1953-11-09
19 Canavalia cathartica Honolulu, Pacific Hts., by Public Trail Preserved_Specimen lvs., pods, seeds Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1944-12-02
20 Canavalia cathartica Honolulu, Kalihi St., fence back of Bishop Museum Preserved_Specimen flower rose lavender, fragrant Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1983-01-01
21 Canavalia cathartica Halawa Beach (W.Garnett 89-43) Cultivated in the living collections of Waimea Arboretum & Botanical Garden, Haleiwa Preserved_Specimen Orr, D. 45 Oahu BISH 1995-10-24
22 Canavalia cathartica Waihee Valley, Wailuku climbing over 7 m trees Preserved_Specimen vine St.John, H. 25783 Maui BISH 1955-12-30
23 Canavalia cathartica Pali Hwy. at Quarry Rd Preserved_Specimen Smith, L.B. 21.1 Oahu BISH 1976-01-04
24 Canavalia cathartica Kauai Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 23104 Kauai BISH 1947-12-28
25 Canavalia cathartica Kalihihi Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 25549 Kauai BISH 1955-01-01
26 Canavalia cathartica Halawa Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 12711 Molokai BISH 1932-12-27
27 Canavalia cathartica Hana Preserved_Specimen Handy, E.S. 3325 Maui BISH 1933-06-29
28 Canavalia cathartica Halawa Valley Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 493 Molokai BISH 1912-08-01
29 Canavalia cathartica Halawa Beach (W.Garnett 89-43) Cultivated in the living collections of Waimea Arboretum & Botanical Garden, Haleiwa Preserved_Specimen Orr, D. 45 Oahu BISH 1995-10-24
30 Canavalia cathartica Pololu Valley, North Kohala Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 25496 Hawaii BISH 1954-12-30
31 Canavalia cathartica N Kohala, Pololu valley Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 25496 Hawaii BISH 1954-12-30
32 Canavalia cathartica Pali Hwy at Quarry Rd. Preserved_Specimen Smith, L.B. 21 Oahu BISH 1976-01-04
33 Canavalia cathartica Halawa Stream Preserved_Specimen Ozaki, E.T. 831 Oahu BISH 1953-12-01
34 Canavalia cathartica Waipio Trail, Hamakua Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 24007 Hawaii BISH 1950-01-01
35 Canavalia cathartica Halawa Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 12711 Molokai BISH 1932-12-27
36 Canavalia cathartica Halawa Valley Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 493 Molokai BISH 1912-08-01
37 Canavalia cathartica Kalaupapa beach Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 14031 Molokai BISH 1918-05-23
38 Canavalia cathartica Diamond Head Beach Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. Oahu BISH 1950-04-04
39 Canavalia cathartica Moanalua Gardens Preserved_Specimen Pearsall, S. Oahu BISH
40 Canavalia cathartica Windward side Preserved_Specimen Wilder, G.P. Oahu BISH 1923-12-01
41 Canavalia cathartica Halawa Valley Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. Molokai BISH 1918-04-01
42 Canavalia cathartica Pohakuloa Preserved_Specimen Bishop, B. Molokai BISH 1968-09-02
43 Canavalia cathartica Moanalua Preserved_Specimen Pearsall, G.A. Oahu BISH
44 Canavalia cathartica Mauna Loa Preserved_Specimen 100 Hawaii BISH 1947-11-14
45 Canavalia cathartica Waihee Valley, Wailuku climbing over 7 m trees Preserved_Specimen vine St.John, H. 25783 Maui BISH 1955-12-30
46 Canavalia cathartica Cole Prop. Haena Vine sunny, growing over large roch pile on east facing 50 degrees slope above wet gulch. Preserved_Specimen lavendar papiloniadae 2-3 cm. long jaige pod-green then papery-corley brown. Earle, E. 3 Kauai BISH 1973-05-20
47 Canavalia cathartica Growing inland above Pritchardia remota forest. Vining over bare rock and Solanum nelsonii in full sun. 7 x 10 meter patch. Flowers bright pink, pods bright green, inflated. Preserved_Specimen Frohlich, D. 2019092101 Nihoa BISH 2019-09-21
48 Canavalia cathartica Nukumoi, Koloa Coastal rocks. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 12663 Kauai BISH 1939-12-28
49 Canavalia cathartica East Maui, Hana, Wakiu stone wall Preserved_Specimen fl. magenta rose St.John, H. 17834 Maui BISH 1936-12-30
50 Canavalia cathartica University of Hawaii campus quarry Growing over rocks & koa haole. Preserved_Specimen Weedy vine w/pale purplish flowers. 11# fresh, 3-1/2# dry, ground 1130 gm Aug 27 - lf, st, fr. Herbst, D.R. 534 Oahu BISH 1967-08-21
51 Canavalia cathartica Kalaupapa; community, coastal dry mixed non-native Preserved_Specimen vine Wysong, M.L. 756 Molokai BISH 2005-04-07
52 Canavalia cathartica Waialua District, Kauwalu Gulch. Climbing Psidium guajava and other alien vegetation at rim of gulch, adjacent to pasture. Preserved_Specimen Flowers pink; pods slightly immature. Oppenheimer, H.L. 70921 Oahu BISH 2009-07-22
53 Canavalia cathartica Kalihikai Edge of thicket. Preserved_Specimen Vine traveling or climbing, leaves thick chartaceaus, above dark shiny green, below green, banner deep rose colored, eye white at base 1/3 as wide as the petal, continued as a broad midstripe the length of the petal and with 4 lateral ones on each side running half way. Heel and wings pak rose shading to white an upper edges towards the base, calyx green. St.John, H. 24917 Kauai BISH 1952-12-30
54 Canavalia cathartica Haiku Kuaha near beach; vegetation Ipomoea pes-caprae, and Vitex trifolia var. simplicifolia Preserved_Specimen vine to 12 m long. Fl. pink Woolford, H.A. 145 Maui BISH 1955-12-26
55 Canavalia cathartica Pukoo 2 fence and trees Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 25164 Molokai BISH 1953-12-23
56 Canavalia cathartica Iao Valley, Wailuku climbing over 7 m trees, open woods of Eugenia cumini and Psidium guajava, near stream Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 25789 Maui BISH 1956-01-02
57 Canavalia cathartica Anini Beach, Kalihikai dry sand shore Preserved_Specimen climbing on brush, pods dark brown St.John, H. 23104 Kauai BISH 1947-12-28
58 Canavalia cathartica Honolulu: Manoa Valley; University of Hawaii Manoa Campus; Quarry Growing over rocks and Leucaena in Quarry. Preserved_Specimen Weedy vine with pale purplish flowers. Herbst, D.R. 534 Oahu BISH 1967-08-21
59 Canavalia cathartica Pukoo fence and trees Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 25164 Molokai BISH 1953-12-23
60 Canavalia cathartica Pukoo fence and trees Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 25164 Molokai BISH 1953-12-23
61 Canavalia cathartica Kilauea Bay, Kalihi Grassy bank. Preserved_Specimen Trailing vine, calyx green and dark red flecked, banner rose-magenta at center the eye white and with 7 ascending white rays. St.John, H. 25549 Kauai BISH 1955-06-19
62 Canavalia cathartica Cole Prop. Haena Vine sunny, growing over large roch pile on east facing 50 degrees slope above wet gulch. Preserved_Specimen lavendar papiloniadae 2-3 cm. long jaige pod-green then papery-corley brown. Earle, E. 3 Kauai BISH 1972-05-20
63 Canavalia cathartica Iao Valley, Wailuku climbing over 7 m trees, open woods of Eugenia cumini and Psidium guajava, near stream Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 25789 Maui BISH 1956-01-02
64 Canavalia cathartica East Maui, Hana District, Hana, Ka Iwi O Pele secondary forest dominated by Hibiscus, Eucalyptus, Casuarina, Schinus and Ardisia; on summit with Lantana Preserved_Specimen vine Flynn, T.W. 2589 Maui BISH 1989-11-05
65 Canavalia cathartica Halawa beach drift Preserved_Specimen seeds St.John, H. 25269 Molokai BISH 1953-12-26
66 Canavalia cathartica Mouth of Sacred Falls Valley, in field along old abandoned sugar cane RR Kaluanui Stream valley below Sacred Falls (alt700ft.), deeply entrenched 1200 ft. gorge in volcanic rock. E. slope of Koolau Range, 1.6 mi. S - 2.1 mi SSW of Hauula Preserved_Specimen Robust vine with pink flowers. Iltis, H.H. 356 Oahu BISH 1967-07-27
67 Canavalia cathartica P.T.B.G., Lawai Valley Native to Madagascar. Common in moister areas along valley floor. Preserved_Specimen Vine with pink flowers; seeds brown with black hilum. Herbst, D.R. 2308 Kauai BISH 1972-01-07
68 Canavalia cathartica East Maui, Kalepa, Hana climbing over guava thicket Preserved_Specimen fl. rose magenta St.John, H. 25762 Maui BISH 1955-12-30
69 Canavalia cathartica Maunawili. Auloa Rd Sunny site, disturbed lowland dry forest, roadside. Assoc veg: Leucaena leucocephala, Panicum maximum, Paederia sp.. Preserved_Specimen Perennial climbing vine; standard with wh spot at base. Ray, G. 90 Oahu BISH 1998-02-24
70 Canavalia cathartica Upper Palolo Valley; along Waimao Road In disturbed area. Preserved_Specimen Long, C.R. 3683 Oahu BISH 1965-12-30
71 Canavalia cathartica Kapa'a, proposed Kapa'a Highlands subdivision Secondary invasive grassland-shrubland Secondary non-native species. Preserved_Specimen Vine-scandent in Leucaena, long vine ca. 8 m tall, corolla pink-white, calyx green (immature) dark brown (mature). Common. Kirkpatrick, M. 14 Kauai BISH 2012-04-19
72 Canavalia cathartica Kalaupapa; community, white sand beach Preserved_Specimen woody, trailing liana Wysong, M.L. 797 Molokai BISH 2005-08-22
73 Canavalia cathartica Hanapepe Valley Preserved_Specimen Dry thicket, climbing vine. St.John, H. 24893 Kauai BISH 1952-12-27
74 Canavalia cathartica Hauula Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 37 Oahu BISH 1908-12-03
75 Canavalia cathartica Halawa Beach (W. Garnett 89-43), Waimea Arboretum, Halei'wa Preserved_Specimen flws preserved in spirit Orr, D. 89341 Oahu BISH 1992-10-28
76 Canavalia cathartica Oahu Preserved_Specimen A vine carpeting the ground in dappled shade. Standards light pink to rose pink with a splash of white on the inner proximal portion. Wings and keels light pink. Flowers odorless (morning). Lau, J. 2384 Oahu BISH 1986-05-12
77 Canavalia cathartica Kalihikai, edge of thicket Preserved_Specimen Culyx green, banner deep more colored with white eye at base base 1/3 as wide as petal, continued as a broad midstripe the length of the petal and with 4 lateral ones on each side running half way. Keel on wings pale rose shading to white on upper edges and toward base. St.John, H. 24917 Kauai BISH 1952-12-30
78 Canavalia cathartica Hwy. 50; just west of Puhi Preserved_Specimen Vine growing up into Hibiscus tiliaceus. Standard lavender, wings pink. Flynn, T.W. 1200 Kauai BISH 1985-09-04
79 Canavalia cathartica Maunaloa, on the beach at Waimanu valley HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 11/27/2010
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