Tepary Bean: Tohono O'odham Brown
(Phaseolus acutifolius)
Phaseolus acutifolius is a vining or bushy herbaceous annual reaching lengths of 4 m. Leaves are trifoliate, alternate, and usually pubescent. Flowers are borne in groups of 2-5, butterfly-shaped, and can range in color from white to lilac. Pods are 5-9 cm in length and contain 2-9 seeds each. Seeds are round to oblong and range in color, including: white, brown, black, purple, yellow, or speckled. With deep roots, it is well adapted to dry climates.
This brown seeded tepary bean was bred by the Tohono O'odham Nation in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, USA and Northern Mexico.