Canavalia - A Genus of Flowering Plants with Showy Pea-Like Flowers and Nitrogen-Fixing Abilities

Canavalia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae, commonly known as "canavalins". The name "canavalia" is derived from the Latin word "cana", meaning "reed", and "velum", meaning "veil", referring to the veil-like petals of the flowers.

The genus Canavalia includes about 20 species of annual or perennial herbs native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world, particularly in Africa, Asia, and Central and South America. They are commonly found in wetlands, along riversides, and in other moist areas.

Canavalia species are characterized by their showy, pea-like flowers and their ability to fix nitrogen from the air, which makes them useful as green manure crops. Some species are also cultivated for their edible seeds or pods, while others have been used in traditional medicine for various purposes.