The Hyacinth Bean (Lablab purpureus, syn. Dolichos lablab L., Dolichos purpureus L., Lablab niger Meikus, Lablab lablab (L.) Lyons, Vigna aristata Piper, and Lablab vulgaris, L.) Savi. ), also called Indian Bean and Egyptian Bean, is a species of bean in the family Fabaceae that is widespread as a food crop throughout the tropics, especially in Africa.