Lima Bean Varieties
(Phaseolus lunatus)
Phaseolus lunatus is a vining (indeterminate) or bush-type (pseudo-determinate) legume from Central and South America. Vining types are vigorous, perennial, and reach 2-6 m in length. Bush-type cultivars are annuals and reach heights of 0.25-1 m. Leaves are trifoliate, present alternately on the stem, and range from pubescent to glabrous. Inflorescence can reach 15 cm in length and bear up to 25 white-to-violet flowers. Pod lengths are 5-12 cm and contain 2-4 seeds each. Pod and seed shape, size, and color are highly variable and dependent upon cultivar.
Pima Beige
An indeterminate, deep-rooted, climbing small-seeded lima from Arizona that produces seeds that are brown with dark speckles.
Pima Orange
An indeterminate, deep-rooted, climbing small-seeded lima from Arizona that produces seeds that are orange with dark speckles.
Haba
An indeterminate, deep-rooted, climbing small-seeded lima from Dominican Republic that is highly sought after. It grows well and is productive even in poor soils. Produces ivory colored seeds with purple mottling.
Humidity Resistant
An indeterminate, deep-rooted, climbing small-seeded lima that is drought tolerant but also tolerant of high humidity. The smooth, thin beans are black in color.
7-Year Lima
Half white and pink beans.
This semi-perennial lima bean variety originated in Central America but has been bred in parts of East Africa and South Africa and is commonly used as a cover crop. The name comes from its ability to remain productive for several years. If grown along the ground, it can produce a 60 cm high mat of foliage that smothers weeds. It can also be trellised for easier seed harvest. The seeds are large, with distinctive red caps atop the seeds. In Mwenezi, Zimababwe, the Seven-Year Lima is planted around houses and grows atop roofs of homes away from foraging goats.
The unique quality of this lima bean is its ability to smother and suppress weeds while providing continual forage for animals, beans for human consumption, a perennial dense cover crop for tropical dry regions, and a green manure that adds nitrogen to the soil. Flowering begins 60-90 days after sowing. Occasional pruning is recommend to stimulate new vigorous growth and rejuvenate the mat. The ground can be completely covered in 60-75 days when sown every square-foot and temperatures are warm. Dry beans are ready for picking after 7-9 months. Susceptible to root-knot nematodes though it does continue to persist with infected roots.
Hopi Red, Pala Hatíqo
The Hopi Red Lima is believed to have originated in Mexico and south-western areas of the United States and was stewarded by the Hopi Native Americans. The vines produce small pods that contain red lima bean seeds. This variety was selected by a Hopi Native American artist named Fred Kabotie. Tasty and meaty, the beans are solid red but may have some black streaks. From the high desert.
Hopi Red Lima seeds should be planted directly into the prepared soil rather than transplanting. Flowering begins 70-100 days after sowing. Dry beans are ready for picking after 6-8 months. Hopi Red Lima bean is susceptible to root-knot nematodes though it does continue to persist with infected roots. It is also susceptible to fungal diseases in wet seasons. Pods and beans can be damaged by true bugs of the order Heteroptera.
Christmas Pole Lima
Very large maroon-white mottled beans with beautiful, dark red splashes, and rich flavor; heavy yields even in very hot weather; long vines. Approximately 90 days after planting.
Burma Red
Indeterminate climbing lima bean; produces medium-sized red beans approximately 90 days after planting.
Pa-O
Small seeds with white and red polka dots.