Phaseolus filiformis
Benth.
Fabaceae
Phaseolus sanctorum M.E.Jones
Phaseolus wrightii A.Gray
Common Name: Frijolillo
General Information
Phaseolus filiformis is an annual to biennial, climbing plant growing from a fibrous rootstock with a long, narrow taproot. The twining stems scramble over the ground, climbing into nearby vegetation for support. Growth habit is very variable, ranging from small, almost bushy plants to large climbing vines[
1555- Title
- Taxonomy, Distribution, and Ecology of the Genus Phaseolus (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) in North America, Mexico and
- Publication
- SIda, Botanical Mlscellany, No 23
- Author
- Freytag G.F. & Debouck D.G.
- Website
- http://www.brit.org/sida
- Publisher
- Botanical Researeh Institute of Texas
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 1-889878-11-1
- Description
- An excellent, detailed study of the genus Phaseolus, it has been made available on-line as an open access document.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.
Known Hazards
We have seen no specific reports for this species, but the mature seed of most, if not all, members of this genus contain various anti-nutritional factors. Soaking the seeds, discarding the water and then boiling them and discarding the water will remove these toxins and render the seeds safe and nutritious[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Botanical References
1555- Title
- Taxonomy, Distribution, and Ecology of the Genus Phaseolus (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) in North America, Mexico and
- Publication
- SIda, Botanical Mlscellany, No 23
- Author
- Freytag G.F. & Debouck D.G.
- Website
- http://www.brit.org/sida
- Publisher
- Botanical Researeh Institute of Texas
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 1-889878-11-1
- Description
- An excellent, detailed study of the genus Phaseolus, it has been made available on-line as an open access document.
Range
Southwestern N. Anerica - Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, northern Mexico (Baja Norte, Baja Sur, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Sonora)
Habitat
Desert areas, growing on sand dunes, rocky outcrops and talus slopes amongst shrubs and in low tree forests, especially in moister areas along dry wash stream beds and canyons; at elevations from near sea level to 1,200 metres[
1555- Title
- Taxonomy, Distribution, and Ecology of the Genus Phaseolus (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) in North America, Mexico and
- Publication
- SIda, Botanical Mlscellany, No 23
- Author
- Freytag G.F. & Debouck D.G.
- Website
- http://www.brit.org/sida
- Publisher
- Botanical Researeh Institute of Texas
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 1-889878-11-1
- Description
- An excellent, detailed study of the genus Phaseolus, it has been made available on-line as an open access document.
].
Properties
Edibility Rating | |
Habit | Annual Climber |
Height | 2.00 m |
Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Phaseolus filiformis is a plant of semi-arid to arid regions of the subtropical regions of southwestern USA and northern Mexico.
Requires a sunny position in a well-drained soil. Grows in the wild on clay soils, or silty to sandy, rock, and frequently alluvial loams from basalt, volcanic ash or limestone rocks[
1555- Title
- Taxonomy, Distribution, and Ecology of the Genus Phaseolus (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) in North America, Mexico and
- Publication
- SIda, Botanical Mlscellany, No 23
- Author
- Freytag G.F. & Debouck D.G.
- Website
- http://www.brit.org/sida
- Publisher
- Botanical Researeh Institute of Texas
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 1-889878-11-1
- Description
- An excellent, detailed study of the genus Phaseolus, it has been made available on-line as an open access document.
]. Some forms of the plant are very tolerant of saline soils[
1555- Title
- Taxonomy, Distribution, and Ecology of the Genus Phaseolus (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) in North America, Mexico and
- Publication
- SIda, Botanical Mlscellany, No 23
- Author
- Freytag G.F. & Debouck D.G.
- Website
- http://www.brit.org/sida
- Publisher
- Botanical Researeh Institute of Texas
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 1-889878-11-1
- Description
- An excellent, detailed study of the genus Phaseolus, it has been made available on-line as an open access document.
]. Plants are highly drought resistant[
1438- Title
- Food Plants in the Americas: A Survey of the Domesticated, Cultivated, and Wild Plants Used for Human Food in North,
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kermath B.M.; Bennett B.C.' Pulsipher L.M.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2014
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A pre-publication draft of an amazing, on-going work first started in 1985. It contains information on more than 3,900 taxa from the Americas - from Arctic regions to the Tropics
].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[
755- Title
- Nodulation Plants in GRIN Taxonomy
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.ars-grin.gov/~sbmljw/cgi-bin/taxnodul.pl?language=en
- Publisher
- United States Department of Agriculture
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An online database listing plants that have either positive or negative reports on root and stem nodulation with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
].
Edible Uses
Seed - cooked[
1438- Title
- Food Plants in the Americas: A Survey of the Domesticated, Cultivated, and Wild Plants Used for Human Food in North,
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kermath B.M.; Bennett B.C.' Pulsipher L.M.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2014
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A pre-publication draft of an amazing, on-going work first started in 1985. It contains information on more than 3,900 taxa from the Americas - from Arctic regions to the Tropics
,
1555- Title
- Taxonomy, Distribution, and Ecology of the Genus Phaseolus (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) in North America, Mexico and
- Publication
- SIda, Botanical Mlscellany, No 23
- Author
- Freytag G.F. & Debouck D.G.
- Website
- http://www.brit.org/sida
- Publisher
- Botanical Researeh Institute of Texas
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 1-889878-11-1
- Description
- An excellent, detailed study of the genus Phaseolus, it has been made available on-line as an open access document.
]. Boiled and eaten like lentils[
]. The seedpod is 25 - 30mm long, 5 - 6mm wide, containing more or less rounded, brownish seeds 2 - 4mm in diameter[
1555- Title
- Taxonomy, Distribution, and Ecology of the Genus Phaseolus (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) in North America, Mexico and
- Publication
- SIda, Botanical Mlscellany, No 23
- Author
- Freytag G.F. & Debouck D.G.
- Website
- http://www.brit.org/sida
- Publisher
- Botanical Researeh Institute of Texas
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 1-889878-11-1
- Description
- An excellent, detailed study of the genus Phaseolus, it has been made available on-line as an open access document.
].
Young seedpods - cooked or fresh1438,
1555- Title
- Taxonomy, Distribution, and Ecology of the Genus Phaseolus (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) in North America, Mexico and
- Publication
- SIda, Botanical Mlscellany, No 23
- Author
- Freytag G.F. & Debouck D.G.
- Website
- http://www.brit.org/sida
- Publisher
- Botanical Researeh Institute of Texas
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 1-889878-11-1
- Description
- An excellent, detailed study of the genus Phaseolus, it has been made available on-line as an open access document.
,
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have ripened and dried the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
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