Family: Papilionaceae

These evergreen or annual, climbing or twining plants are distributed through South Africa to India to eastern Asia and Australia. Dolichos is grown as a forage or green manure crop in some parts of the world. A rapid climber, it is useful for hiding unsightly fences or walls. The various species have now been transferred to other genera.

Species

D. lablab, now Lablab purpureus, is called by a variety of common names: hyacinth bean, lablab, bonavista bean, Indian bean, Egyptian bean and seim bean. It is a perennial, 30-60 cm (12-24 in) high, with rosy purple or white flowers through summer and wide, flat seed pods up to 8 cm (3 in) long.

D. lignosus, now Dipogon lignosus, Australian pea, is a half-hardy perennial evergreen, to about 4.5 m (15 ft), useful for providing quick cover, partic­ularly in dry, desert regions. It produces upright sprays of pea-like, pink to mauve flowers, marked with white. When hot enough, the long pods burst open and disperse seed over a wide area.

Cultivation

In frosty climates, grow in a cool conservatory, or as summer annuals outdoors. These plants like light, loamy soil, and much water in summer. Let some pods mature and dry on the vine to save seed. Propagate by seed sown in early spring, or by spring cuttings.

Climate

Zone 9.