hyacinth bean; Lablab purpureus
A legume grown for its edible pods and beans, also used ornamentally. The Japanese name literally means 'wisteria bean', referring to the flower color.
The hyacinth bean is a leguminous plant native to tropical Asia.
Hyacinth bean flowers are blooming in the garden.
Katakana spelling is common for this plant name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling using 藤 (wisteria) and 豆 (bean); rarely used.
Alternate kanji spelling using 鵲 (magpie); very rare.
The Japanese name フジマメ (藤豆) combines 藤 (fuji, 'wisteria') and 豆 (mame, 'bean'), likely from the resemblance of the flowers to wisteria blossoms. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.