Phaseolus ritensis

M. E. Jones

Cocolmeca, Metcalfe bean

Fabaceae Edible: Seeds, Roots - tea 51 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Phaseolus ritensis is a plant species native to Arizona, Sonora, Chihuahua, Sinaloa and Nuevo León. Common names include "Santa Rita Mountain bean" (in US) 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.

Description

A herb.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible 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.

Distribution

It is a subtropical plant. It is usually above 1,500 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Central America, Mexico, North America,

Synonyms

Phaseolus retusus Benth.

References (6)

Contr. W. Bot. 12:14. 1908
Felger, R.S., Ancient Crops for the Twenty first century, in Rickie, G.A., (ed), 1979, New Agricultural Crops, AAAS Selected Symposium 38. Westview Press, Colarado. p 10
Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 638
Laferriere, J. E. et al, 1991, Mineral composition of traditional Mexican teas. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition. 41:27-282
Nabhan, G.P. & Felger, R.S., Wild desert relatives of crops: their direct uses as food in Wickens, G.E., Goodin, J.R., and Field, D.V.,(Eds.) 1985, Plants for Arid Lands. Unwin Hyman, London, p

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