Also known as the Tobacco vine this ornamental vine is native to the tropical regions of Africa and is cultivated extensively in Asia and North Africa for its edible fruit pods, which, like the flowers, are highly ornamental. Thomas Jefferson popularized the Hyacinth Bean in the United States when he began growing it in his garden in 1804. The bright green stems produce 3 leaflets of three leaves. The stems and undersides of the leaves are tinged purple. Flowers resemble sweet peas, without the scent. They grow in loose clusters of 3-7 and are pink and white. They are followed by oblong pods that start off looking like beans, but eventually fill out into a pod full of Purple Hyacinth Bean. It is often grown as a flowering plant although most of the plant is edible and cooked in stir-fry. The flowers are tasty and showy, seed pods are striking, and it is irrefutably eye-catching. Needs a sturdy support structure on which to grow due to the weight of the vine at maturity. Attracts hummingbirds.