Practical
Plants

Phaseolus coccineus

Runner Bean

a vegetable vine of the Phaseolus genus in the family Leguminosae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
3 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

Large quantities of the raw mature seed are poisonous[2][12]. The toxins play a role in protecting the plant from insect predation.

Edible uses

Immature seedpods - raw or cooked[1][7][10][11]. They have a pleasant mild flavour and are widely used as a vegetable in many areas of the world. They can be added to salads, cooked as a vegetable or added to soups, stews etc[6]. The immature seed is used like shelled beans as a vegetable[6]. The protein-rich mature seeds can be dried and stored for future use. They need to be thoroughly cooked before being eaten in order to destroy a toxic principle. They are soaked for 12 hours prior to use and are eaten boiled or added to soups etc. The seed can also be ground into a powder and added to cereal flours for making protein-enriched bread etc[6]. Flowers - raw. A bean-like taste[4][6]. Young leaves - cooked and used as a potherb[6]. Root - cooked. Rich in starch[6]. Another report says that the root is poisonous[7],

Plant part
Flowers
Preparation
Raw
Product or use
Vegetable, Salad
Plant part
Leaves
Preparation
Raw
Product or use
Leaf vegetable, Greens
Plant part
Root
Preparation
Cooked
Product or use
Vegetable
Plant part
Seedpod, Seed
Preparation
Raw; Cooked
Product or use
Vegetable
Plant part
Seed
Preparation
Dried, Cooked
Product or use
Vegetable

The protein-rich mature seeds can be dried and stored for future use. They need to be thoroughly cooked before being eaten in order to destroy a toxic principle. They are soaked for 12 hours prior to use and are eaten boiled or added to soups etc.

Plant part
Seed
Preparation
Dried, Ground
Product or use
Flour, Protein

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface, Climber

Environment

Range
Southern N. America - Mexico.
Habitat
Not known
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 10+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow in mid spring in a greenhouse. Germination should take place within 10 days. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frosts. The seed can also be sown in situ in late spring though it may not ripen its seed in a cool summer.

Cultivation

Requires a warm sheltered sunny position in a rich well-drained soil with plenty of moisture in the growing season[14][15][20][19]. Dislikes heavy, wet or acid soils[15]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 to 7[19]. The runner bean is commonly cultivated in many parts of the world for its edible seeds and immature seedpods, there are many named varieties[17]. Most varieties are climbing plants but some dwarf forms have been developed[19]. 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[19]. When grown for their edible pods, the immature pods should be harvested regularly in order to promote extra flower production and therefore higher yields[19]. 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[K]. Runner beans grow well with carrots, cauliflowers, cucumbers, cabbage, leek and celeriac[16][18]. They are inhibited by alliums and fennel growing nearby[16][18].

Crops

Seeds

Leave the pods to mature and dry thoroughly on the plant. If the weather is too damp, harvest the whole plant from the base (leave the perennial root tuber if you want an early crop the following year) and hang them upside down somewhere warm until the pods are completely dry[13].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Altmann. H. Poisonous Plants and Animals. Chatto and Windus 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-7011-2526-8

    ↩

  3. Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-050-0

  4. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  5. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00

  6. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  7. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2

  8. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

  10. Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878-00-00

    ↩

  11. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  12. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

  13. [Runner Beans - Seed Saving Guidelines] Garden Organic (2013/04/13)

    ↩

  14. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (32202/01/01)

    ↩

  15. Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-050-0 (32202/01/01)

    ↩1↩2

  16. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins (32202/01/01)

    ↩1↩2

  17. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (32202/01/01)

    ↩

  18. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (32202/01/01)

    ↩1↩2

  19. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (32202/01/01)

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  20. Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. (32202/01/01)

    ↩

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