Phaseolus acutifolius A.Gray

Leguminosae

Synonyms

Common names

Tepari bean, Texas bean, Yori

Description

A suberect annual. As a short day plant, it flowers in the early autumn in the Sahel.

Temperature

It is very sensitive to freezing.

Water

This bean is adapted to arid and semi-arid climates. It is very sensitive to flooding and water-logging.

Soil

The Tepari is very tolerant to aridity.

Distribution

The Tepari bean is native to the arid zones of Central America, Mexico and South USA; it has been cultivated by the Amerindians for some 5,000 years. It has been reported as cultivated in some dry areas of Senegal and Mali.

Products & uses

Leaves, stems and green pods are grazed by livestock and the bean eaten by humans, containing some 25 % CP.

References

Whyte et al. 1955 ; NAS 1979 ; Baumer 1983 ; Burkill 1995.