Purple Dolichos

🌿 Purple Dolichos, also known as purple hyacinth bean or Lablab purpureus, is a stunning climbing legume prized for its ornamental beauty and edible pods. It’s a favorite in tropical gardens for its vibrant purple flowers, glossy pods, and vigorous growth.

🌱 Botanical & Growing Profile

• Growth habit: Twining vine; climbs up to 6–10 meters
• Flowers: Deep purple, pea-like blooms in clusters
• Pods: Shiny, flat, purple pods with 2–8 seeds
• Leaves: Trifoliate, broad, and slightly hairy underneath
• Climate: Thrives in warm, humid regions like Kerala
• Soil: Well-drained loam; pH 6.0–7.5
• Support: Requires trellis, fencing, or pandal structures

🧪 Nutrition & Uses

• Edible parts: Young pods, seeds, leaves, and flowers
• Nutrients: Rich in protein, fiber, iron, calcium, and antioxidants
• Culinary uses:
  • Stir-fries, sambars, curries
  • Mature seeds used like lentils (after boiling)
  • Flowers and leaves in salads or soups