Lablab purpureus

Scientific name: Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet.

Family: Fabaceae

Synonym: Dolichos lablab L.

Bengali/Vernacular name: Sheem, Ushi, Urshi (Bengali); Soi (Noakhali, Chittagong).

Tribal name: Khubi (Khumi), Pay-chae (Chak), Bilap (Bawm), Bei (Lushai), Barui (Pangkhoa), Paching (Rakhaing).

English name: Bean, Hyacinth bean, Lablab.

Description of the plant: A large twining perennial or annual herb. Leaves alternate, trifoliate, leaflets 5-15 cm long, rhombic-ovate, entire, base cuneate or deltoid, pale green and slightly pubescent beneath. Flowers in axillary inflorescences, purple with various amounts of white. Pod up to 14 cm long, compressed, often curved and flattened. Seeds 4-6, variables in size and colour.

Plant parts used: Seed.

Medicinal uses: Infusion of seed is taken twice a day to stop bleeding from nose.

500 mg fried seed are mixed with 100 ml hot water then this mixture is taken thrice a day to treat fever.

Distribution: It is cultivated throughout the Bangladesh as a vegetable crop.

Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….