Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC.

Kacang pedang putih (Canavalia ensiformis) is a climbing annual shrub from the Fabaceae family that originates from South and Central America, cultivated in Mexico since about 3,000 BC. Its young pods are eaten as a vegetable, while its seeds are processed into tempeh or bean sprouts after boiling to remove toxins. The concanavalin A content in this plant is studied as an immunomodulator for cancer therapy.

Kacang pedang putih can be found thriving in temperate to tropical climates at elevations up to 1,500 m asl. Grows best at temperatures between 13-27 °C, with optimal annual rainfall between 800-2,000 mm, but able to tolerate 600-4,300 mm. Prefers areas in full sun but has moderate shade tolerance. Able to grow and adapt to various soil conditions under harsh conditions, even in nutrient-poor, heavily leached, acidic soil, and is drought-resistant, but does not grow well in overly wet soil. Its growth also requires soil conditions with a soil acidity (pH) in the range of 5-6, but tolerating 4.3-8.

• Roots have a deep root system, with root nodules for fixing nitrogen.
• Stem cylindrical, puberulent, hairless, with a hollow pith, short and large, becoming somewhat woody with age.
• Leaves alternate or scattered, green, thick, compound trifoliolate. Leaf blade broadly ovate or broadly elliptical, leaf tip blunt or rounded-short-tapering, base blunt, asymmetric on the lateral leaflets, smooth leaf margin, sparsely hairy on both surfaces.
• Flowers pale purple, sometimes white, found on axillary racemes with swollen nodes, clustered between 1-3 flowers at swollen nodes along the rachis. Calyx green, cone-shaped, 5-lobed, sparsely pubescent. Corolla standard round-shaped.
• Fruit a pod, large, long, linear, and flattened like a sword, slightly curved toward the tip, each pod containing 8-20 seeds.
• Seeds elliptical shape, up to 3 cm long, white or cream, hilum less than half the seed length, hilum brown.

• Propagation is done generatively with seeds.
• Direct seed planting in the field without a nursery, with 2 seeds per hole.
• The planting spacing that can be used is 40 cm x 50 cm or 40 cm x 75 cm.
• Green pods can be harvested after 80-120 days, and mature seeds after 180-300 days after planting.

Lectins (concanavalin A and B), tannin, trigonelline, canavanine.

An immunomodulator for cancer therapy, treats boils, strengthens the kidneys. Has antibiotic and antiseptic activity.

• Prepare white-flowered jack bean seeds, wash clean with running water then drain.
• Dry under sunlight or with an oven at 40 °C until moisture content reaches 10%.
• Blend into powder and sieve with a 60-mesh sieve.
• Store in a clean, airtight place.

Koro dongkrak, Kacang parang, Koro bedog, Kacang mekah, Koro bendo, Krandang (Central Java), Koang (West Java), Koro wedung (Madura), Kacang kayu (West Sumatra).