1.2- Genus Phaseolus L. + Overview PhaseolusL.(bean, wild bean) is a genus in the familyFabaceae containing about 70plantspecies, all native to the Americas, primarily Mexico. At least four of the species have been domesticated since pre-Columbian times for their beans. Most prominent among these is the common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris, which today is cultivated worldwide in tropical, semitropical, and temperate climates. Previous classifications placed in this genus a number of other well-known species that have now been removed to genus Vigna, sometimes necessitating a change of species name. For example, older literature refers to the mung bean as Phaseolus aureus, where as more modern sources classify it as Vigna radiata. Similarly, the snail bean Vigna caracalla was discovered in 1753 and in 1970 moved from Phaseolus to Vigna. The modern understanding of Phaseolus indicates a genus endemic to the New World alone. + Etymology The generic name Phaseolus was introduced by Linnaeus in 1753, borrowed from the Latinphaseolus a combination of phasēlus and the diminutive suffix-olus, in turn borrowed from Greek φάσηλος 'cowpea' (often incorrectly glossed as 'kidney bean', a New World crop), whose ultimate origin is unknown. + Species The genus PhaseolusL. (bean, wild bean) contains about 70plantspecies. The important species include: 1- Phaseolus acutifolius- tepary bean 2- Phaseolus angustissimus A. Gray 3- Phaseolus coccineus- runner bean 4- Phaseolus filiformis - slimjim bean 5- Phaseolus harmsianus 6- Phaseolus lunatus - lima bean, butter bean 7- Phaseolus maculatus - spotted bean 8- Phaseolus ritensis 9- Phaseolus rimbachii 10- Phaseolus rosei 11- Phaseolus vulgaris- common bean, French bean, black bean, kidney bean, pinto bean, green bean.
2- The important species of the genus Phaseolus L.
2.1- Species Phaseolus acutifolius - Tepary bean + Overview Phaseolus acutifolius, the Tepary bean, is native to the southwesternUnited States and Mexico and has been grown there by the native peoples since pre-Columbian times. It is more drought-resistant than the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and is grown in desert and semi-desert conditions from Arizona through Mexico to Costa Rica. The water requirements are low and the crop will grow in areas where annual rainfall is less than 400 mm (16 in). + Synonyms Phaseolus acutifolius var.tenuifolius A.Gray Phaseolus tenuifolius (A. Gray) Wooton & Standl.
2.2- Species Phaseolus angustissimus A. Gray + Overview Phaseolus angustissimus (common name slimleaf bean), is a plant in the genus PhaseolusL., subtribe Phaseolinae, tribe Phaseoleae, subfamily Faboideae of the family Fabaceae. It is native to the the American southwest. + Uses The Zuni people rub the crushed leaves, blossoms and powdered root on a child's body as a strengthener.
2.3- Species Phaseolus coccineus - Runner bean + Overview Phaseolus coccineus, known as runner bean, scarlet runner bean, or multiflora bean, is a plant in the legume or Fabaceae family. This species originated from the mountains of Central America. Most varieties have red flowers and multicolored seeds (though some have white flowers and white seeds), and they are often grown as ornamental plants. The vine can grow to 3 m (9 ft) or more in length. It is grown both as a food plant and an ornamental plant. + Cultivars Cultivars include: 'Aeron Purple Star' (not available commercially) 'Black Runner' 'Butler' 'Case Knife' 'Hammond's Dwarf' 'Painted Lady' 'Pickwick Dwarf' 'Polestar' 'Scarlet Runner' 'White Dutch Runner' Phaseolus coccineus subsp. darwinianus is a cultivated subspecies, commonly referred to as the botil bean in Mexico.
2.4- Species Phaseolus filiformis - Slimjim bean + Overview Phaseolus filiformisis a species of wild bean native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Its common names include slimjim bean, slender-stem bean, and Wright's phaseolus. This plant resembles other beans in appearance, with leaves composed of lobed triangular leaflets and pink pea-like flowers. The small bean pods are 2.5 to 3.5 cm long and less than 1 cm wide. + Synonym Phaseolus wrightii
2.6- Species Phaseolus lunatus - Lima bean, Butter bean + Overview Phaseolus lunatusis a species of legume in the genus PhaseolusL., in the subtribe Phaseolinae, in the tribe Phaseoleae, in the Fabaceae family. Phaseolus lunatus is a legume grown for its edible seeds. It is commonly known as the lima bean, butter bean, or sieva bean. Synonyms Dolichos tonkinensis Bui-Quang-Chieu Phaseolus bipunctatus Jacq. Phaseolus ilocanus Blanco Phaseolus inamoenus L. Phaseolus limensis Macfad. Phaseolus lunatus var.macrocarpus (Moench) Benth. Phaseolus macrocarpus Moench Phaseolus portoricensis Spreng. Phaseolus puberulus Kunth Phaseolus rosei Piper Phaseolus saccharatus Macfad. Phaseolus tunkinensis Lour. Phaseolus vexillatus Blanco, nom, illeg, non L. Phaseolus viridis Piper Phaseolus xuaresii Zuccagni + Cultivars The seeds of the cultivars listed below are white unless otherwise noted. Closely related or synonymous names are listed on the same line. - Bush types 'Henderson' / 'Thorogreen', 65 days (heirloom) 'Eastland', 68 days 'Jackson Wonder', 68 days (heirloom, seeds brown mottled with purple) 'Dixie Butterpea', 75 days (heirloom, two strains are common: red speckled and white seeded) 'Fordhook 242', 75 days, 1945 AAS winner - Pole types 'Carolina' / 'Sieva', 75 days (heirloom) 'Christmas' / 'Giant Speckled' / 'Speckled Calico', 78 days (heirloom, seeds white mottled with red) 'Big 6' / 'Big Mama', 80 days 'King of the Garden', 85 days (heirloom)
2.7- Species Phaseolus maculatus - Spotted bean + Overview Phaseolus maculatus(Metcalfe bean, prairie bean, spotted bean) is a plant native to Mexico and the southwestern United States from Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. It is found on dry, rocky hillsides in meadows and in wooded areas from 1500-2400 m (5000-8000 ft) in elevation. Phaseolus maculatus is a trailing perennial herb with a large, woody taproot. Leaves are trifoliate, oval, up to 8 cm (3.2 in) long, with small urcinate (hooked) hairs. Leaf blades tend to be oriented vertically so they do are not pressed against the ground. Flowers are purple. Seeds are mottled black and brown. + Synonyms Phaseolus metcalfei Wooton & Standl. Phaseolus ovatifolius Piper Phaseolus retusus Benth.
2.8- Species Phaseolus ritensis + Overview Phaseolus ritensisis a species of legume in the genus PhaseolusL., in the subtribe Phaseolinae, in the tribe Phaseoleae, in the Fabaceae family. It is a plant species native to Arizona, Sonora, Chihuahua, Sinaloa and Nuevo León. Common names include "Santa Rita Mountain bean" (in USA) and "cocolmeca" in Mexico. It grows in forested areas in the mountains. Phaseolus ritensis is a perennial herb with a large woody taproot. It is a trailing herb with trifoliate leaves and pink to lavender flowers. Synonyms Phaseolus retusus Benth, illegitimate + Uses The plant is widely valued for both food and medicine throughout much of its native range. Green and ripe fruits served as an important food source in times past. Roots are the source of medicine, glue, and a fermenting agent.