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annual semi-erect bushy plant of tropical South America bearing long pods with white seeds grown especially for forage

1. : a bushy semierect annual tropical American plant of the genus Canavalia; especially : a plant (C. ensiformis) having long pods with white seeds and grown especially for forage — compare sword bean

2. : the seed of the jack bean

1. a bushy tropical plant, Canavalia ensiformis, of the legume family, grown esp. for forage.

2. the white seeds of this plant.

[1880-85]

jack bean noun

A subtropical American climbing bean (genus Canavalia)

Main Entry: ↑jack

jack bean,

1. a tropical American plant of the pea family, with purple and white flowers and white seeds, grown especially for forage.

2. its seed.

n. a tropical American climbing plant of the pea family, which yields an edible bean and pod and is widely grown for fodder in tropical countries. ● Genus Canavalia, family Leguminosae: in particular C. ensiformis