Phaseolus lunatus

Overview

Phaseolus lunatus, the lima bean or butter bean, is a climbing or bushy annual vine native to Central America and the Andes, one of the oldest domesticated

Phaseolus lunatus, the lima bean or butter bean, is a climbing or bushy annual vine native to Central America and the Andes, one of the oldest domesticated crops in the Western Hemisphere with archaeological records dating back 9,000 years. It produces flat, kidney-shaped beans in a range of colors from white to mottled purple-black, rich in protein and carbohydrates. Wild forms contain significant quantities of cyanogenic glycosides, which have been greatly reduced through domestication.