Tepary bean

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Tepary bean
• tepary-beans
• tepary bean

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is a member of the family Fabaceae and is classified under the genus Phaseolus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across multiple regions of Europe and the Atlantic islands. Within Eastern Europe, its presence is documented in Krym and throughout Ukraine. It also inhabits significant portions of the Russian landscape, specifically in Central European Russia and South European Russia. Beyond the mainland, its range extends to the Macaronesia region, specifically reaching the Canary Is. Consequently, the species maintains a wide ecological footprint across these distinct territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Phaseolus acutifolius is fundamentally defined by its adaptation to the steppe biome, where it thrives in open, semi-arid landscapes characterized by low precipitation and high solar exposure. Within these steppe environments, the species occupies niches that demand high tolerance for seasonal moisture fluctuations and intense temperature variations. The plant's survival strategy is closely tied to the specific soil compositions found in these grasslands, often favoring well-drained substrates that prevent waterlogging while allowing for deep root penetration to access subterranean moisture. By inhabiting these expansive, wind-swept habitats, Phaseolus acutifolius participates in a specialized ecological community where it must compete for limited nutrients and water among various perennial grasses and ephemeral herbs.

Habitat :

steppe

Life history

The life history of Phaseolus acuifolius is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire biological development—from seed germination and vegetative growth to flowering and seed production—within a single growing season. As an annual species, it relies on the rapid production of seeds to ensure the survival of the next generation before the onset of unfavorable environmental conditions. The cycle begins with the germination of seeds in suitable soil, followed by a period of rapid vegetative expansion where the plant establishes its structural framework. This is succeeded by a reproductive phase involving the development of flowers and the subsequent formation of pods containing seeds. Once the seeds reach maturity, the parent plant typically withers and dies, leaving the dormant seeds in the soil to await the next favorable seasonal cycle to begin the process anew.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Phaseolus acuifolius is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It functions as an obligatory climber, specifically exhibiting a vine habit, with a shoot orientation that is described as prostrate. The plant is terrestrial in its habitat, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte. In terms of stature, it reaches a maximum plant height of 2 m, with a mean height of 2 m and a minimum height of 0.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

2 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Shoot orientation :

prostrate

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Phaseolus acuifolius is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes for carbon fixation and energy production. In terms of nutrient acquisition and symbiotic relationships, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms through symbiotic associations with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Phaseolus acuifolius is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The plant is capable of self-fertilization, ensuring reproductive success through both autonomous mechanisms and insect-mediated biotic interactions. The resulting seeds are highly uniform in size, with a recorded seed mass that remains constant at a mean, minimum, and maximum value of 0.1034 g.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

0.1034 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Phaseolus acutifolius has 37 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, CALCIUM, CHROMIUM, COBALT, COPPER.

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

CHROMIUM

1. Dr. Duke

COBALT

1. Dr. Duke

COPPER

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

Isoleucine

1. Dr. Duke

LIGNIN

1. Dr. Duke

Lectin

1. The British journal of nutrition

Activities

Phaseolus acutifolius has 292 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include ACE-Inhibitor, Acidulant, Aggregant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic.

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aggregant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Amphiglycemic?

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

AntiADD

1. Dr. Duke

AntiAGE

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Phaseolus acutifolius has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include drought, weight gain.

Drought

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Weight gain

1. International journal of obesity and related metabolic disorders : journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity