Canavalia — 5 species
Botanical species in the genus Canavalia recorded in the PlantPeers database.
Canavalia brasiliensis
Canavalia brasiliensis
Family: Fabaceae
Cultivation
A plant of the tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,000 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 26 - 30°c, but can tolerate 18 - 34°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 900 - 1,500mm, but tolerates 500 - 2,000mm.
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Canavalia cathartica
Canavalia cathartica
Family: Fabaceae
Cultivation
The seed is not buoyant, but remains impermeable to water for at least 18 months. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.
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Canavalia ensiformis
Canavalia ensiformis
Family: Fabaceae
Cultivation
The plant can be grown in temperate to tropical areas at elevations up to 1,500 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 28°c, but can tolerate 14 - 36°c. The foliage is intolerant of frost, but mature beans are unaffected.
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Canavalia gladiata
Canavalia gladiata
Family: Fabaceae
Cultivation
Grows well in lowland tropical areas, succeeding at elevations up to 1,500 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range15 - 30 °c, but can tolerate 12 - 36°c. The foliage can not tolerate frost, but any mature beans remain unaffected.
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Canavalia rosea
Canavalia rosea
Family: Fabaceae
Cultivation
A plant of mainly coastal areas through much of the tropics and subtropics. Plants flower throughout the year, even in the subtropics. The seeds are buoyant and impermeable to water - they are thus able to float considerable distances in the sea, thereby explaining the plants wide distribution.
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