Phaseolus coccineus

Phaseolus coccineus, known as runner bean, scarlet runner bean, or multiflora bean, is a plant in the legume family, Fabaceae. Another common name is butter bean, which can also refer to the lima bean, a different species. It is grown both as a food plant and an ornamental plant.

Description

A climbing bean. It is a robust plant and keeps growing from year to year by re-growing from the fattened root. The stems are often hairy. It grows 1.8-2.4 m high. It can spread 1.8-2.4 m wide. It twines around a trellis. The leaves are compound and have three leaflets. The flowers are bright red. They are in clusters 2.5 cm long. The pods are long (30 cm) and with a wavy edge. The seeds are large and can be several different colours. It sometimes has a root tuber.

Edible Uses

Immature seedpods can be eaten raw or cooked — they have a pleasant, mild flavour and are widely used as a vegetable around the world, whether added to salads, cooked on their own, or included in soups and stews. Immature seeds are used as shelled beans. The protein-rich mature seeds can be dried and stored; they must be thoroughly cooked before eating to destroy a toxic principle, and are best soaked for 12 hours prior to use, then boiled or added to soups. The seed can also be ground into a powder and mixed with cereal flour to make protein-enriched bread. Flowers are edible raw and have a bean-like taste. Young leaves can be cooked and used as a potherb. The root is starchy and can be cooked, though one source notes it may be poisonous.

Traditional Uses

The very young pods can be eaten. They are boiled, steamed, baked etc. The seeds are edible. They are dried then soaked. The flowers have a bean like flavour and are used in salads. Young leaves can be used as a potherb. The tubers can be eaten after they are cooked and the cooking water thrown away.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

Large quantities of the raw mature seed are poisonous. The toxins play a role in protecting the plant from insect predation.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows naturally in the mountain regions from Mexico to Panama. It is grown in the highlands in the tropics. On the tropical coast seedlings die and pods are not formed. It is damaged by frost. It suits hardiness zones 8-10. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Britain, Canada, Caribbean, Central Africa, Central America, Central Asia, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, East Africa, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Russia, Rwanda, SE Asia, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Timor-Leste, Turkey, Türkiye, Uganda, USA, Vietnam, West Africa,

Cultivation

Requires a warm sheltered sunny position in a rich well-drained soil with plenty of moisture in the growing season. Dislikes heavy, wet or acid soils. Prefers a pH in the range 6 to 7. The runner bean is commonly cultivated in many parts of the world for its edible seeds and immature seedpods, there are many named varieties. Most varieties are climbing plants but some dwarf forms have been developed. Plants are perennials but are often grown as annuals, especially in the temperate zone. Plants flower under long day conditions, which is ideal for temperate regions. When grown for their edible pods, the immature pods should be harvested regularly in order to promote extra flower production and therefore higher yields. The perennial roots will survive mild winters outdoors in many parts of the country, especially if given a protective mulch in late autumn, they will then give an earlier but lighter crop the following year. They can also be dug up in late autumn and stored like dahlias in a cool but frost free place over winter and replanted in the following spring. The plants might need some protection from slugs since these creatures adore the young shoots in the spring. Runner beans grow well with carrots, cauliflowers, cucumbers, cabbage, leek and celeriac. They are inhibited by alliums and fennel growing nearby. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby. Carbon Farming - Cultivation: regional crop. Management: standard. Phaseolus coccineus ssp.polyanthus (Cache Bean) is also worth considering as a carbon farming plant. It is similar to Phaseolus coccineus but more suited to tropical highlands and semi-arid conditions.

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water, then sow in mid-spring in a greenhouse. Germination should occur within 10 days. Prick seedlings out into individual pots when large enough to handle, and plant out after the last expected frosts. Seed can also be sown in situ in late spring, though it may not ripen in a cool summer.

Other Uses

The plant fixes nitrogen. It also attracts hummingbirds.

Production

It grows quickly.

Other Information

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. Only occasionally grown in Papua New Guinea. The fleshy roots are an important food in Mexico. It is sold in local markets.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Ayacote, Botil, Chamborote, Chilipuca, Climat, Cub, Cubaces, Dau son, Dutch caseknipe bean, Ejote, Fagioli rampicante di Spagna, Frejol de castilla, Frejol de monte, Frijol chamborote, Hana mame, Haricot d'Espagne, Kacang besar, Koto moruk, Laški fižol, Patol, Poroto chileno, Seven year bean, Shim

References (47)

• Bianchini, F., Corbetta, F., and Pistoia, M., 1975, Fruits of the Earth. Cassell. p 34
• Brink, M., 2006. Phaseolus coccineus L. [Internet] Record from Protabase. Brink, M. & Belay, G. (Editors). PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa), Wageningen, Netherlands. < http://database.prota.org/search.htm>. Accessed 21 October 200919 October 2009.
• Burkill, I.H., 1966, A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Vol 2 (I-Z) p 1739 (As Phaseolus multiflorus)
• Burnie, G.(Ed.), 2003, Annuals and Bulbs. The Gardener's Handbooks. Fog City Press. p 208
• Cheifetz, A., (ed), 1999, 500 popular vegetables, herbs, fruits and nuts for Australian Gardeners. Random House p 87

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