62; see text Canavalia is a genus of plants in the legume family (Fabaceae) that comprises approximately 62 species of tropical vines.

The genus name is derived from the Malabar word for the species, kavavali, which means "forest climber.

"[3] Several species are valued legume crops, including common jack-bean (C. ensiformis), sword bean (C. gladiata) and C. cathartica.

[4] The common jack-bean is also a source of the lectin concanavalin A, which is used as a reagent in glycoprotein biochemistry and immunology.

The bay bean (Canavalia rosea) is supposedly mildly psychoactive when smoked, and is used in tobacco substitutes.