Phaseolus lunatus
Lima bean
Phaseolus lunatus, commonly known as the lima bean, is a versatile legume celebrated for its nutritional density and medicinal properties. Rich in essential proteins, vitamins, and minerals, it serves as a dietary staple. Beyond nutrition, its bioactive compounds offer potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, supporting overall metabolic health.
- Scientific name: Phaseolus lunatus
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Phaseolus lunatus, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, its taxonomic classification concludes within the genus Phaseolus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Phaseolus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Phaseolus lunatus, is referred to by various common names depending on the region and language. In Portuguese, it is called Feijão-de-lima, while in Chinese, it is known as 棉豆 in Simplified Chinese (zh-hans), Traditional Chinese (zh-hant), and in the Hong Kong dialect (zh-hk). Additionally, in Haitian Creole, it is called Pwachouk.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pt | Feijão-de-lima | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 棉豆 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 棉豆 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 棉豆 | Wikidata |
| ht | Pwachouk | Wikidata |
| pl | Fasola półksiężycowata | Wikidata |
| fr | haricot de Lima | Wikidata |
| es | pallar | Wikidata |
| ca | garrofó | Wikidata |
| fi | limanpapu | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning both the Macaronesian islands and parts of West Tropical Africa. Within the Macaronesian region, its presence is noted in the Canary Islands and Cape Verde. Moving toward the African continent, the species can be found across several West Tropical African nations. Specifically, it inhabits the territories of Benin and Ghana. Furthermore, its range extends to the coastal region of Guinea-Bissau.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Macaronesia | Canary Is. | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the runner bean (Phaseolus lunatus), is valued in various traditional medicinal practices, with its primary therapeutic components often derived from its seeds. These seeds, which can vary in color and shape, contain a variety of bioactive compounds and nutrients that are utilized for their potential health benefits. When prepared correctly to remove natural toxins, the seeds serve as the central element in herbal applications, often being used to support digestive health or provide essential proteins and minerals.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Phaseolus lunatus has 45 reported phytochemicals identified across 53 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include jasmonic acid, phaseolin, coronatine, lectin, methyl salicylate.
- Total chemicals
- 45
- Scientific sources
- 53
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| jasmonic acid | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| phaseolin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| coronatine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lectin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methyl salicylate | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (3S)-(E)-nerolidol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 4,8,12-trimethyl-1,3E,7E,11-tridecatetraene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 4,8,12-trimethyltrideca-1,3,7,11-tetraene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 4,8-dimethyl-1,3(E),7-nonatriene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Phaseolus lunatus has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include flatulence, herbivores.
- Total uses
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flatulence | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| herbivores | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |