Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS
Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

seaside jackbean, baybean, beach-bean

Synonym(s):

Canavalia maritima

Genus species:

Canavalia rosea

Family:

Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

.5-1 ft tall by to 40 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

pink,lavender

Fruit Color:

green,brown

Phenology:

Evergreen. Long prostrate stems. Blooms and fruits all year.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Groundcover in sandy areas. Used for dune stabilization. Fast growing.

Considerations:

It can be aggressive in the landscape. The seeds and seed pods are poisonous.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, Seed

Propagation:

Seed.

Light:

Full Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Somewhat moist, no flooding ---to--- Very long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salt.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

Circum-neutral to calcareous

Suitable to Grow In:

9A,9B,10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Caterpillars

Attracts bees. 

Native Habitats:

Coastal dunes.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Has a history of human use including use as a psychoactive substance and as food (experimentation not recommended). Said to have been an important food for the British explorer, Captain James Cook and his crew during their voyage around the world from 1768 to 1771.

General Comments:

An important sand dune stabilizer.