Tepary bean
Phaseolus acutifolius

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A twining or sprawling bean plant. It is an annual herb. It grows 45-100 cm high and spreads 30-60 cm wide. The leaves are compound. They have 3-5 narrow, pointed, sword shaped leaflets. The primary leaves do no have stalks. The flowers are white or yellow on short stalks. The fruit are oblong seed pods. These are slightly hairy and green but dry to a straw colour. There are 2-10 seeds per pod. These are normally flat.

There are about 20 Phaseolus species.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. It can grow in hot dry regions. They do not do well in humid weather. It grows between 50 and 1920 m altitude. It requires an annual rainfall of 250-300 mm. It needs well drained soils. It needs a pH between 6.7-7.1. It can grow in arid places. It grows in the Sonoran Desert. It suits hardiness zones 8-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Algeria, Australia, Botswana, Central Africa, Central America (country/location of origin), Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, East Africa, El Salvador, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guatemala, Iraq, Israel, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mediterranean, Mexico (country/location of origin), Middle East, Morocco, North Africa, North America, Senegal, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Uganda, USA, West Africa, West Indies

How it is used for food

The seeds are ground into flour and used for "instant" bean dishes. The seeds are eaten boiled or baked. They are used in soups and stews. The young tender pods are cooked and eaten. The leaves are tough so need to be cooked well.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

Edible parts

Seeds, vegetable, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed stored dry will remain viable for 3 years.

Plants flower 27-40 days after germination. They ripen 60-80 days after germination. Yields of 200-950 kg per ha are achieved. Yields are high with good fertiliser use.

Its other names

Local names

Frijol tepari, Pavi, Pawi, Tepari, Xmayum, Yori mui, Yorimuni

Synonyms

Phaseolus montanus Brandegee; Phaseolus tenuifolius (A. Gray) Wooton & Standl.;