Phaseolus

n.

[L.]
(Bot.) A genus of leguminous plants, including the Lima bean, the kidney bean, the scarlet runner, etc. See Bean.

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A genus of bean plants in the family Fabaceae; contain a number of phytotoxins including phaseolus hemolytic agent, lunatin, a cyanogenetic glucoside, and a hemagglutinating lectin which causes vomiting, diarrhea. Includes garden kidney beans (P. vulgaris, e.g. French beans, scarlet runner climbing bean) and crop beans such as Lima and Java beans (P. lunatus).

Pea family
Leguminosae

Fa-see'o-lus. Twenty species of mostly tropical herbs, including important beans grown for food or forage. The species below grown for ornament.

Description
Chiefly twining plants with compound leaves, mostly with 3 leaflets. Flowers pealike, but the keel coiled, variously colored. Fruit a somewhat flattened or cylindrical pod, edible itself or grown for its highly nutritious seeds.

How to Grow
Sow seeds a week or so before last spring frost. Plant 2 or 3 seeds 1 in. (2.5 cm) deep, then thin to the best seedling. Provide tall, strong supports early so vines will not be injured in the wind. Prefers warm weather.

Phaseolus coccineus
Scarlet Runner ; Flowering Bean ; Painted Lady . A tall-growing vine, 6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m) long. Flowers scarlet, showy, 1 in. (2.5 cm) long. Tropical America. Young pods are delicious. Also sold as P. multiflora . The variety albus , called the White Dutch Runner or Dutch Case-Knife Bean, has white flowers and edible seeds; there is also a dwarf, bushy form. Perennial grown as a half-hardy annual.

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IN BRIEF: n. - Herbs of warm regions including most American beans.

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