Common Bean Varieties
(Phaseolus vulgaris)
Phaseolus vulgaris is a vining (indeterminate) or bush-type (pseudo-determinate) herbaceous annual. Vining types are perennial and reach 2-5 m in length. Bush-types are annuals and reach heights of 20-60 cm. Pubescent leaves are trifoliate, present alternately on the stem, and range from green to purple in color. Inflorescence can reach 15-35 cm in length and bear white-to-purple flowers. Green or yellow pods reach lengths of 20 cm, can be straight or curved, and contain 4-12 seeds each. Seeds are kidney-shaped, and can be one of many colors: white, red, green, brown, purple, black, or speckled.
Contender
A bush bean that is grown mainly for the fresh green beans but the dry bean seeds can also be cooked and eaten. It takes 55 days to maturity and average pod length is 16cm. This variety is resistant to powdery mildew and bean mosaic virus.
Tio Canela 75
A small red-seeded variety from Honduras that is harvested as a dry bean at 4-5 months after planting. This bushing variety is noted for its resistance to bean golden yellow mosaic virus.
Khasi Pole
Quick producing pole variety from NE India that produces pods about 12 cm (5 in) in length with dark brown seeds.
Pa-O
Edible mature seed and young pod, thick reddish pod with large white/pink spotted beans, similar with kahsi variety
Naga Speckled
Similar looking to other varieties, but fruit is a dark red and green color and is a smaller size.
Bhutanese
Bhutanese variety. Similar looking to other varieties, but fruit is slightly larger. Prolific producer.
Naga Pole
From NE India. Produces tender, sweet pods about 12 cm (5 in) in length. Seeds are brown with a distinctive swirled pattern.
Huay Hom
Similar to naga variety, thin pod with white bean, beans occur in pairs
Yasothon
Naga Bush
Lao French Bean
Provider
Puerto Rican Black
A black seeded traditional bush bean from Puerto Rico. High yields of 10-15cm long pods. 30 days for green pods and 65 days for dry beans. Eat green pods cooked or raw. Dry beans traditionally used for Arroz con habichuelas.
Puerto Rican Pink
A pink seeded traditional bush bean from Puerto Rico. High yields of 10-15cm long pods. 30 days for green pods and 65 days for dry beans. Eat green pods cooked or raw. Dry beans traditionally used for Arroz con habichuelas.
Puerto Rican White
A white seeded traditional bush bean from Puerto Rico. High yields of 10-15cm long pods. 30 days for green pods and 65 days for dry beans. Eat green pods cooked or raw. Dry beans traditionally used for Arroz con habichuelas.
Puerto Rican Red
A red seeded traditional bush bean from Puerto Rico. High yields of 10-15cm long pods. 30 days for green pods and 65 days for dry beans. Eat green pods cooked or raw. Dry beans traditionally used for Arroz con habichuelas.
Mae Hong Son
Big red seeds.