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Useful Temperate Plants

Phaseolus polystachios

(L.) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb.

Fabaceae

+ Synonyms

Dolichos polystachios L.

Phaseolus sinuatus Torr. & A.Gray

Common Name:

No Image.

General Information

Phaseolus polystachios is a herbaceous perennial climbing plant growing from a thick, fleshy and much-branched rootstock that can be up to 20cm long. The twining stems can be 3 - 4 metres long, they scramble over the ground, climbing into the surrounding vegetation for support[
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

Eastern and southern N. America - Iowa to Maine, south to Texas and Florida

Habitat

Climbing on shrubs and young trees in moist thickets, clearings and edges of deciduous forests, in deep swamps and sometimes on dry sandy, dry shale and rocky hillsides[
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 *  *
HabitPerennial Climber
Height3.00 m
PollinatorsInsects
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details


Found in the wild on a range of soils from clays to sands[
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.
].
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

Seeds - 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
]. The elongate seedpod can be 70mm long and 12 mm wide, containing black, squarish seeds around 6mm long, 6 - 7mm wide and 4mm thick[
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.
].
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-03-28. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Phaseolus+polystachios>

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