(A/6-7')(FS) This beautiful climbing vine from India is incredibly versatile, where the young pods, flowers, roots, leaves and dried seeds are commonly eaten. We often use the flowers which taste like bean sprouts in our herb flower salads. Hyacinth Bean is a very striking plant with dark purple leaves and stems and glossy purple seed pods. It is also used in traditional Chinese medicine as a tonic and to treat dysentry and 'summer heat disorders'.