Bush varieties form erect bushes 20–60 centimetres (8–20 inches) tall, while pole or running varieties form vines 2–3 metres (7–10 feet) long. All varieties bear alternate, green or purple leaves, which are divided into … See more

The common bean, like all species of Phaseolus is a member of the legume family Fabaceae.
In Species Plantarum in 1753, Carl Linnaeus classified the beans known by him into genus Phaseolus and genus Dolichos, naming … See more

The toxic compound phytohaemagglutinin, a lectin, is present in many common bean varieties but is especially concentrated in red kidney beans. White kidney beans contain about a third as many toxins as the red variety; broad beans (Vicia faba) contain 5 to 10% as … See more

In 1528, Pope Clemente VII received some white beans, which thrived. Five years later, he gave a bag of beans as a present to his niece, Catherine, on her wedding to See more

Wild P. vulgaris is native to the Americas. It was originally believed that it had been domesticated separately in Mesoamerica and in the southern See more

Good commercial yield in favorable environments under irrigation is 6 to 8 ton/ha fresh and 1.5 to 2 ton/ha dry seed.
Cultivars and varieties
Archeologists found large-seeded varieties of the domesticated bean in the highlands of Peru, dating to … See more

Nutrition
Raw green beans are 90% water, 7% carbohydrates, 1% protein, and contain negligible fat. In a reference amount of 100 grams (3.5 oz), … See more