Fabaceae FAMILY

Phaseolus maculatus

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & 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 Description

Phaseolus maculatus is a herbaceous perennial climbing plant growing from a fleshy, woody, globose tuber that can be 20cm or more in diameter. The twining stems can be up to 5 metres tall, scrambling over the ground and climbing into nearby 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 and medicine.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate; tropical

Native RangeSouthwestern N. America - Arizona, New Mexico, Texas to southern Mexico

HabitatAlong streams and on grassy slopes in open oak woodland, pine forests and in grassland[ 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. ].