Sword Bean (Flat oval, reddish-purple luster, raised hilum, white funiculus, seed coat leathery, inner brown-green)

Sword Bean with Pod

Sword Bean Pod (Long sword-shaped, deep yellow, inner white sponge)

【Naming】

Sword Bean

 【Source】

Compendium of Materia Medica

 【Common Usage Level】

F

 【Botanical Origin】

The seed of the leguminous plant Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.) D C.

 【Characteristics】

It is flat oval or flat kidney-shaped, about 2-3.5cm long, about 1-2cm wide, and about 0.5-1.2cm thick. The surface is light red or reddish-purple, with a few ivory-white or blackish, slightly glossy, and slightly wrinkled. The edge has a gray-black hilum, about 1.5-2.5cm long, with ivory-white membranous funiculus remnants on it. Near the hilum, there is a micropyle in the shape of a small pit, and at the other end, there is a dark-colored chalaza. There is a raised raphe between the chalaza and the hilum. It is hard and difficult to break open. The seed coat is leathery, with a brown-green inner surface and a glossy appearance. Inside, there are 2 thick cotyledons, yellowish-white in color. The radicle is small, located at the end of the micropyle, and skewed to one side. It has no odor, tastes bland, and has a unique bean-like smell when chewed.

 【Identification】

The best quality are those that are large, plump, brightly colored, and dry. The best are those with large grains, plumpness, and a light red color.

Attachment: Sword Bean Pod 《Yilin Zuanyao》 ○E
Pericarpium Canavaliae
Source: The fruit shell of the leguminous plant Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.) D C.
Characteristics of Medicinal Material: The dried fruit shell has a twisted and thick fruit stalk; the pod is sword-shaped, slightly spirally twisted or broken, up to 30cm long, about 4.5cm wide, with a pointed apex, slightly curved, the outer surface is yellow to deep yellow, with wrinkles, scattered black spots, covered with sparse short hairs and diagonally arranged white fine stripes. The inner surface has a white sponge-like substance. Unopened pods each have a rib on the ventral and dorsal suture lines. The pericarp is fibrous.
Quality Identification: The best are those that are long and large, intact, yellow on the outside, and white on the inside, without insect damage.

【Category】

Seeds