Fabaceae / Papilionaceae

142
Fabaceae / Papilionaceae
Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taubert
(Syn: Psoralea tetragonoloba Linn.)
English name: Cluster bean, Guar.
Local name:
Sindhi-Gwar, Punjabi-Guwara.
Description:
An annual, erect range from 60-100 cm tall with pubescent branches. Leaves trifoliate,
foliage attached with short stalk. Inflorescence a raceme, 6-30 flowered.
Flowers small, purplish. Pod 3 to 7 cm long many seeded (about 10).
Flowering Period:
Almost throughout the year.
Habitat:
On sandy-loamy soils usually after monsoon rains, also
cultivated as crop for edible beans and Guar Gum.
Uses:
It is cultivated as a vegetable for human consumption
and is also used as a fodder. A gum is also obtained
from the seed flour. It is used in food, paper and textile
industries. Gum is used as a binder in tablets. Guar gum
is also used for curing night blindness, dyspeptic
complaints, anorexia, constipation and agalactia.
Distribution:
Pakistan (Punjab, Sindh); India, Malay Isles;Afghanistan;
China andAustralia.