Valavara is the sword bean, a vigorous climbing bean whose huge, flat pods can grow over thirty centimetres long. Young pods are sliced and cooked as a vegetable in Kerala, Karnataka and the Konkan, and in Japan they are pickled in fukujinzuke. The mature seeds contain toxic compounds and must be soaked and boiled thoroughly. It is not mochai, Lablab purpureus.
- Botanical name
- Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.) DC.
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Tamil
- Valavara
- Hindi
- Bara sem
- Parts used
- Young pod after cooking, Seed only after thorough cooking
- Habit
- Sword bean; young pods are cooked, raw mature seed is toxic
- Last updated
- 2026-10-27
How to recognise Valavara
It is a strong, woody-based climbing vine that can cover a fence or tree.
The leaves have three large, broad, pointed leaflets.
Pink, purple or white pea-flowers grow on long upright stalks.
The pods are flat, broad and sword-shaped, twenty to forty centimetres long, with ridges along the edge.
The seeds are large, oval and red, pink or white, with a long scar along one side.
Traditional use of Valavara
Kitchen
Young tender pods are sliced and cooked in thoran and stir-fries in Kerala and coastal Karnataka.
South Indian food practice
Kitchen
In Japan thin slices of young pod are part of fukujinzuke, the pickle served with curry rice.
Japanese food practice
Farming
It is grown on fences and as a green manure and cover crop in the tropics.
Tropical farm practice
Modern notes on Valavara
The mature seeds contain canavanine and lectins such as concanavalin A, which cause vomiting and diarrhoea if not destroyed by cooking.
Its relative, jack bean, Canavalia ensiformis, is the classic laboratory source of concanavalin A.
The beans are high in protein, which made them of interest as famine food and animal feed after processing.
Valavara safety
Eat only young pods, well cooked. Mature seeds should be soaked, boiled with the water changed several times, or avoided altogether.
Ecology and sourcing
It is native to tropical Asia and Africa and cultivated across the tropics.
Large carpenter bees pollinate the flowers.
Its roots fix nitrogen and its vines quickly cover bare soil.
Related plants
Also in Fabaceae
Questions about Valavara
Why is Valavara called sword bean?
Its long, flat pods look like swords.
Are the seeds of Valavara safe?
Only after long soaking and repeated boiling.
Which part is eaten?
Mainly the young pods.
Is Valavara the same as avarai or mochai?
No. That is Lablab purpureus.
Is Valavara related to jack bean?
Yes. Both are Canavalia species.
Sources
- Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.) DC. — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q1937714 (Canavalia gladiata)
Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.