Canavalia rosea, Bay Bean
A native beach vine. Lefroy in his “The Botany of Bermuda” states Canavalia obtusifolia, (syn) was mentioned as early as 1623, and could be found on the south shore, flowering in December.
Well, here it is flowering in July, and beautifully adapted to harsh sandy coastal areas. The thick fleshy, waxy leaves, resistant to salt spray and dehydration, close when sun shines brightly on them thereby reducing evaporation, opening up again when lightly shaded.
The native range of this species is the Tropics & Subtropics including the Lucayan Archipelago, the Caribbean, Florida and Mexico.
In Bermuda Bay Bean is a useful species for sand dune stabilization and on steep slopes. Across its range it is used as animal food, a poison and a medicine, along with environmental and social uses.
