Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet, Fabaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  Evaluate, score: 5 (Go to the risk assessment)

Other Latin names:  Dolichos lablab L.; Dolichos purpureus L.; Lablab vulgaris Savi

Common name(s): [more details]

Chamorro: cheribilla apaka, chuchumeko

Chinese: bian dou

English: Egyptian kidney bean, bonavist, bonavist-bean, dolichos, hyacinth bean, lablab, lablab bean, musical bean, wild bean, wild bean creeper

Fijian: natomba, ndralawa, tomba

French: dolique, dolique d'Egypte, pois nourrice

Hawaiian: pāpapa, pī

Korean: kkachikong

Rapa Nui: haricot

Spanish: zarandajo

Tongan: pini‘ae puaka, vini toga

Habit:  vine

Description:  "Twining climber; leaves trifoliolate; petioles 6-26 cm long; rachis and petiole up to 30 cm; leaflets entire, thinly pubescent, acute-acuminate, 5-15 cm long and wide; terminal leaflet ovate-rhombic, angulate; lateral leaflets asymmetrical; peduncle 5-30 cm long; flowers several together; calyx finely pubescent; tube 4-5 mm long, upper lip 3 mm; corolla violet or whitish; standard to 14 mm long, 20 mm broad; pod oblong, flattened, up to 12 cm long, beaked at tip; seeds 3-5, dark brown or pale tan or white, often speckled, hilum white, linear" (Stone, 1970; p. 333).

"Liane pérenne grimpante, atteignant 6 m de longueur, reconnaissable à ses feuilles trifoliées aux folioles légèrement poilues, à ses inflorescences dressées portant de grandes fleurs blanches, parfois pourpres et à ses gousses applaties comestibles, atteignant 12 cm de long et contenant des grosses graines blanchâtres, également comestibles" (Meyer, 2008; p. 36).

Habitat/ecology:  Widely naturalized and cultivated throughout the tropics.  In Hawai‘i, cultivated and naturalized in dry to mesic disturbed areas, 0-90 m elevation (Wagner et al., 1999; pp. 676-678).  In Fiji, "cultivated and naturalized but sometimes appearing to be indigenous, often found in beach thickets but sometimes in open places or waste places up to about 450 m"  (Smith, 1985; pp. 235-236). In New Caledonia, "probablement d'introduction pré-européenne. Cultivé aujourd'hui sur une échelle modeste dans les jardins potagers et en formes fourragères dans les pâturages; parfois subspontané en terrains défrichés" (MacKee, 1994; p. 85).

Propagation:  Seed

Native range:  Tropical Africa; widely cultivated (GRIN).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia (Pacific offshore islands) Norfolk Islands	Norfolk Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1994) (p. 9) "A relic of cultivation". Voucher cited: W.R. Sykes NI 360 (CHR)
Chile (offshore islands) Rapa Nui (Easter) Island	Rapa Nui (Easter) Island (Isla de Pasqua)	introduced invasive	Meyer, Jean-Yves (2008) (pp. 36-37, 42) "Nous l’avons vue naturalisée en bordure de route près de l’aéroport de Mataveri, abondante sur les clotûres" (Meyer, 2008; p. 37).
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Alamagan Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 111) As Dolichos lablab L.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Alamagan Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Falanruw, M. V. C./Sachet, M.-H. (1975) (p. 27) Voucher cited: Fosberg 31728 (US)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Anatahan Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 111) As Dolichos lablab L.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Anatahan Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Falanruw, M. V. C./Sachet, M.-H. (1975) (p. 27) Voucher cited: Falanruw 1674 (US)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 111) As Dolichos lablab L.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Saipan	Saipan Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 111) As Dolichos lablab L.
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island		Sykes, Bill (year unknown)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1929) (voucher ID: BISH 145405) Taxon name on voucher: Dolichos lablab L.
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Floreana Group	Floreana Island	introduced cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Isabela Island	introduced cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Volcán Sierra Negra, Isabela Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) San Cristóbal Group	San Cristóbal Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santa Cruz Group	Santa Cruz Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Yap (Waqab) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 111) As Dolichos lablab L.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Kambara Island	introduced invasive cultivated abo. intro.	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (pp. 235-236) Voucher cited: Tothill 123
Fiji Fiji Islands	Matuku Island	introduced invasive cultivated abo. intro.	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (pp. 235-236) Voucher cited: Bryan 236
Fiji Fiji Islands	Matuku Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1924) (voucher ID: BISH 145413) Taxon name on voucher: Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet
Fiji Fiji Islands	Ovalau Island	introduced invasive cultivated abo. intro.	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (pp. 235-236) Voucher cited: Milne 235
Fiji Fiji Islands	Taveuni Island	introduced invasive cultivated abo. intro.	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (pp. 235-236) Voucher cited: Seemann 118
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	introduced invasive cultivated abo. intro.	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (pp. 235-236) Vouchers cited: Greenwood 368, DA 87, DA 14534
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Mangareva (Gambier) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Mangareva (Gambier) Island	introduced	St. John, Harold (1988) (p. 15) Voucher cited: St. John 14476 (BISH)
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Taravai Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Taravai Island	introduced	St. John, Harold (1988) (p. 15) Voucher cited: St. John 14716A (BISH)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Fatu Hiva Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence 7418 (PAP) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Hiva Oa Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Hiva Oa Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Bora Bora Island	introduced cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 150) Voucher cited: Grant 4898
French Polynesia Society Islands	Maupiti (Maurua) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island		Fosberg, F. R. (1997) (p. 51)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Taha‘a Island	introduced cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 150) Voucher cited: Fosberg 63502
French Polynesia Society Islands	Taha‘a Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Vouchers cited: J. Florence 63502 (PAP), F. R. Fosberg 63502 (PAP) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Taha‘a Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1982) (voucher ID: BISH 607304) Taxon name on voucher: Dolichos lablab L.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 150) Voucher cited: Fosberg 61012
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Tuamotu Archipelago	Makatea (Ma‘atea) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Rimatara (Rimitara) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Rurutu Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence 5579 (PAP) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Tubuai Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Tubuai Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1934) (voucher ID: BISH 404984) Taxon name on voucher: Dolichos lablab L.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced cultivated	Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (p. 333)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 111) As Dolichos lablab L.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1918) (voucher ID: BISH 145415) Taxon name on voucher: Dolichos lablab L.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (year unknown) (voucher ID: BISH 145416) Taxon name on voucher: Dolichos lablab L.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1918) (voucher ID: BISH 145417) Taxon name on voucher: Dolichos lablab L.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1912) (voucher ID: BISH 145418) Taxon name on voucher: Dolichos lablab L.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (year unknown) (voucher ID: BISH 145419) Taxon name on voucher: Dolichos lablab L.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1918) (voucher ID: BISH 145420) Taxon name on voucher: Dolichos lablab L.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawai‘i (Big) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 676-678)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaho‘olawe Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 676-678)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 676-678)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Lāna‘i Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 676-678)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 676-678)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Moloka‘i Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 676-678)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Ni‘ihau Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 676-678)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 676-678)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Kwajalein (Kuwajleen) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 111) As Dolichos lablab L.
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Kwajalein (Kuwajleen) Atoll	introduced	Whistler, W. A./Steele, O. (1999) (p. 100) Not seen on this survey and may no longer be present.
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Majuro (Mãjro) Atoll	introduced cultivated	Vander Velde, Nancy (2003) (p. 98)
Nauru Nauru Island	Nauru Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 111) As Dolichos lablab L.
Nauru Nauru Island	Nauru Island	introduced cultivated	Thaman, R. R./Fosberg, F. R./Manner, H. I./Hassall, D. C. (1994) (p. 147)
New Caledonia Îles Loyauté (Loyalte Islands)	Île Lifou	introduced invasive cultivated abo. intro.	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 85) Voucher cited: Däniker 2352 (Z)
New Caledonia Îles Loyauté (Loyalte Islands)	Île Maré	introduced invasive cultivated abo. intro.	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 85) Voucher cited: Schmid 2219 (NOU)
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced invasive cultivated abo. intro.	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 85) Vouchers cited: Vieillard 2998, Balansa 294, Sarasin 261, Virot 748, MacKee 5132, MacKee 29361, MacKee 31964
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive	Sykes, W. R. (1970) (p. 154) Vouchers cited: CHR 150517, CHR 150518, CHR 150520
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive	Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 25)
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive	Yuncker, T. G. (1943) (p. 66) Voucher cited: Yuncker 9686 (BISH) "Naturalized and occasional in thickets".
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands	introduced invasive cultivated	Merrill, Elmer D. (1923) (pp. 321-322) In the settled areas, commonly cultivated and semicultivated, in some regions naturalized.
Pitcairn Islands Pitcairn Islands	Pitcairn Island	introduced	Meyer, Jean-Yves (2000) (p. 104) "Potential invader".
Pitcairn Islands Pitcairn Islands	Pitcairn Island	introduced	St. John, H. (1987) (p. 36) Voucher cited: Ross 35
Pitcairn Islands Pitcairn Islands	Pitcairn Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Paulay, Gustav/Spencer, T./Oliver, Royce (1989) (p. 13) Voucher cited: Paulay, Spencer & Schuster 664 (US)
Pitcairn Islands Pitcairn Islands	Pitcairn Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence 11032 (PAP) Naturalisée
Pitcairn Islands Pitcairn Islands	Pitcairn Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1991) (voucher ID: PTBG 16565) Taxon name on voucher: Lablab purpureus
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1972) (voucher ID: BISH 83891) Taxon name on voucher: Dolichos lablab L.
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	Lifuka and Foa Islands	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 73)
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	Tofua Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1982) (voucher ID: BISH 651842) Taxon name on voucher: Dolichos lablab L.
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	Tofua Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1982) (voucher ID: BISH 1000820) Taxon name on voucher: Dolichos lablab L.
Tonga Tonga Islands	Tonga Islands		Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (pp. 150-151) "Occasional throughout Tonga".
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 60)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 53) Voucher: Flynn 6826 (PTBG, US)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island		Whistler, W. A. (1992) (p. 30) Voucher cited: Setchell & Parks 15532
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island		Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (pp. 150-151) Voucher cited: Hürlimann 115
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1926) (voucher ID: BISH 155384) Taxon name on voucher: Dolichos lablab L.
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2001) (voucher ID: PTBG 250) Taxon name on voucher: Lablab purpureus
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 67)
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island		Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (pp. 150-151) Vouchers cited: Yuncker 16019, Yuncker 16025
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island		Burkill, I. H. (1900) (p. 35)
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1953) (voucher ID: BISH 145410) Taxon name on voucher: Dolichos lablab L.

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia Australia (continental)	Australia (continental)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	El Salvador (Republic of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Panama (Republic of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
China China	China (People's Republic of)	native	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
China China	Hong Kong	introduced cultivated	Wu, Te-lin (2001) (p. 148)
Indonesia Indonesia	Indonesia (Republic of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Indonesia Indonesia	West Papua Province (Indonesia) (western New Guinea Island) (formerly Irian Jaya)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Japan Japan	Japan	introduced	Mito, Toshikazu/Uesugi, Tetsuro (2004) (p. 184) As Dolichos lablab L.
Japan Ryukyu Islands	Ryukyu Islands	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Mexico Mexico	Mexico (United Mexican States)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Perú (Republic of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Vietnam Vietnam	Vietnam (Socialist Republic of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia (Indian Ocean offshore islands) Christmas Island Group	Christmas Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Swarbrick, J. T. (1997) (p. 117)
Comoros Comoro Islands	Comoro Islands	native	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
La Réunion (France) La Réunion Island	La Réunion Island	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Maldives Maldive Islands	Maldive Islands	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Maldives Maldive Islands	Malè Atoll		Fosberg, F. R. (1957) (p. 21) Voucher cited: Fosberg 36894 (US)
Mauritius Mautitius Islands (Mauritius and Rodrigues)	Mauritius Island	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Agalega Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Stoddart, D. R. (1983) (p. 124)
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Seychelles Islands	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Seychelles Islands	introduced	Invasive Species Specialist Group (2017)

Comments:  Probably an aboriginal introduction to Polynesia (Whistler, 1988; p. 25). Reported to be invasive on Pitcairn Island (Meyer, 2000; p. 104).

Control:  If you know of control methods for Lablab purpureus, please let us know.