PlantFiles: Sword Bean
Canavalia gladiata

I planted Canavalia gladiata this year in May next to a chain link fence and it has grown to about twenty feet and has about twenty of the pods on it and I can't decide to try the pods or not but at least they a conversation starter when others see the pods you can bet on that.
If anyone knows firsthand anything about it's edibility I would appreciate it if you would reply.

The Patent Magic plant company grow the beans in Taiwan , we package them in a beautiful Eco-friendly aluminum container ......Magic Plant company - currently the patent holder for engraving on seeds/ beans. It makes it great gift plant to all share their feeling and bring ppl closer together.

The Nature's Greeting is the New Generation of Greetings!
Instead of cluttering a drawer as traditional greeting cards usually do, The Nature's Greeting beautifies and reminds the receiver daily of how special they are.
All Nature's Greeting products are a great and profitable addition to any store, appreciated by any population and appropriate for all occasions.
This unique gift idea is designed and guaranteed to surprise, excite, and amaze!

Nature's Greeting is the gift to be remembered for years to come, as it will certainly become as recognizable as the traditional greeting card.

The Nature's Greeting is a rare breed of bean. In each can, one bean is pre-planted in a special mineral soil. According to the instructions, after watering; the bean grows up to a height of 10-20 inches or 25-30 cm.
The message or greeting anticipated by the receiver will be found engraved on the beautiful plant's central bean. The Nature's Greeting is all-natural and may be kept as a keepsake or actually grown.

THE NATURE'S GREETING ORIGINS:
The Nature's Greeting originates from the fairy tale "Jack and the Beanstalk." In this tale, a small magical bean creates a huge beanstalk that is mysterious, romantic and offers a magical gift to its owner. Make a wish as you open the can and you will be as lucky as Jack in the fairy tale.

CULTIVATION INFORMATION
Overwatering may cause the bean to rot.
The Nature's Greeting in a Can:
Recommended temperature 60F- 95F (16-35c).
Open the drainage tab at the bottom of the can then remove the top.
Water until excess water drains out of bottom, then replace plastic cap.
Do NOT add water again until the bean emerges.
Estimated time of germination and revealing personal message is 3-10 days.

I first grew this plant from a can found in a GeoCache box in Columbia, SC. I have no idea how long the can had been in the box, but the plant grew within 10 days. It was fun growing the first one, especially when the pod got to be over 7 inches long! I harvested 7 seeds from it and one-by-one those seeds have sprouted into plants this season. They are each in pots. My only problem is that the insects outside my apartment are having a feast of my plants. It has been a struggle trying to keep them from being devoured. I just hope that they will be able to survive well enough to grow pods and produce more seeds for next year!

I am looking forward to growing this out. I lost my first seedling because the people that control the weather were plotting against me (it froze when it wasn't supposed to).

The seeds germinated quickly and explosively - This would be a great plant to use to teach children about plants and their life cycle.

Received seed from local green market; was uncertain if it was edible. Planted to do research. Planted at base of dead dogwood tree in July 2006 in full sun. Has done very well, growing to 10 feet. Large heavy bean pods produced rapidly. The 2006 summer was dry and the plant was watered occasionally. Flowered profusely with purple/white flowers and produced an abundant crop of bean pods. At this time (01Nov06) we are allowing the beans to ripen and will harvest dry beans after they dry on the vine.

Research indicates the seeds have been used for a food source in Asian countries, but there are also reports of ill effects of consumption. More research to do here.

Overall, the plant is a good performer in zone 8a in midsummer and would work well as an ornamental or conversational because of its enormous size pods and beautiful flowers. It needs solid support and good sun exposure.

Got this bean as a gift in a can!! As the plant sprouted, the bean itself lifted out of the soil with the words "I love you" imprinted on the cotyledons! Had no idea what kind it was so simply transplanted to the back yard, and found out it looks like Jack-in-the-beanstalk beans -- huge! Fun plant to grow. Hope to collect seeds this fall and give plants out. Flowers are lovely and good sized, too, though this is definitely a bean plant, not a flower plant.

I planted this like any bean plant, and it took off without a hitch. Needs a fence or a strong trellis to support the weight of the vine and seedpods. Seedpods are heavy! The beans can be eaten, but only after special preparation. I haven't tried them myself.