Lima bean

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• lima-bean
• butter bean
• lima bean
• sieva bean
• sugar bean
• Rat Weed
• Green Bean
• sivvy bean

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Phaseolus lunatus var. albus
• Dolichos tonkinensis
• Phaseolus lunatus var. longepedunculatus
• Phaseolus macrocarpus
• Phaseolus lunatus var. silvester
• Phaseolus latisiliquus
• Phaseolus limensis
• Phaseolus falcatus
• Phaseolus foecundus
• Phaseolus amazonicus
• Phaseolus derasus
• Phaseolus bipunctatus
• Phaseolus tunkinensis
• Phaseolus rosei
• Phaseolus puberulus
• Phaseolus pallar
• Phaseolus lunatus f. macrocarpus
• Phaseolus lunatus f. limenanus
• Phaseolus lunatus f. solanoides
• Phaseolus lunatus var. macrocarpus
• Phaseolus lunatus var. lilacinus
• Phaseolus lunatus f. lunonanus
• Phaseolus lunatus f. salicis
• Phaseolus tenuiflorus
• Phaseolus xuarezii
• Phaseolus inamoenus
• Phaseolus ilocanus
• Phaseolus lunatus f. vulgaris
• Phaseolus parviflorus
• Phaseolus maximus
• Phaseolus rufus
• Phaseolus portoricensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Phaseolus lunatus is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, spanning from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1875 m AMSL. This species demonstrates significant ecological plasticity, as it is capable of thriving in diverse environments ranging from anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) to complex natural ecosystems. Specifically, its habitat includes seasonal semi-deciduous forests (Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual) as well as humid ombrophilous forests (Floresta Ombrófila), which are often referred to as rain forests (Floresta Pluvial).

Elevational range max:

1875 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Phaseolus lunatus is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental sequence—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. The process begins when seeds germinate under favorable soil moisture and temperature conditions, leading to the rapid establishment of a vegetative structure consisting of sprawling or climbing stems and trifoliate leaves. As the plant matures, it transitions into a reproductive phase, producing inflorescences that develop into characteristic pods containing seeds. Once these seeds reach maturity, the plant undergoes senescence and dies, leaving the seeds to enter a period of dormancy in the soil to await the next seasonal cycle.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Phaseolus lunatus is characterized by a growth form categorized as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. It functions as an obligatory climber, utilizing a vine-like habit to ascend supports. The plant reaches a mean height of approximately 4 m and is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

4 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Phaseolus lunatus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant does not exhibit succulence, maintaining a standard non-succulent leaf structure throughout its developmental stages. Morphologically, its leaves are consistent in size, maintaining a mean, minimum, and maximum width of 11 cm. Furthermore, the species functions as a nitrogen fixer, utilizing symbiotic relationships to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a bioavailable form, which significantly influences its nutrient cycling and growth patterns.

Leaf width mean:

11 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Phaseolus lunatus is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily facilitated by insects, with bees playing a significant role in the transfer of pollen. The plant possesses the capacity for self-fertilization, ensuring reproductive success through internal pollen transfer. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops fruit with an average length of 7 cm. The resulting seeds exhibit significant morphological variation in size, with a minimum mass of 0.0601 g, a mean mass of approximately 0.5710 g, and a maximum mass reaching 1.478 g. Dispersal of these seeds is categorized as unspecialized, although the species also exhibits anthropochorous tendencies, meaning its movement and distribution are often influenced by human activity.

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Fruit length mean:

7 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

1.478 g

Seed mass mean:

0.571022308 g

Seed mass min:

0.0601 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Phaseolus lunatus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Seed

1. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
2. Plant physiology
3. The British journal of nutrition

Chemicals

Phaseolus lunatus has 115 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Jasmonic acid, Phaseolin, Ash, Coronatine, Lectin.

Jasmonic acid

1. FEBS letters
2. Plant physiology
3. Plant & cell physiology
4. Nature

Phaseolin

1. Biochimica et biophysica acta
2. The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology
3. Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas

Ash

1. Dr. Duke
2. Die Nahrung

Coronatine

1. Plant physiology
2. FEBS letters

Lectin

1. The Journal of biological chemistry
2. Preparative biochemistry & biotechnology

PHOSPHORUS

1. Dr. Duke
2. Archivos latinoamericanos de nutricion

POTASSIUM

1. Dr. Duke
2. Die Nahrung

ZINC

1. Dr. Duke
2. The Journal of nutrition

amygdalin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of biochemistry

aspartic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. The Journal of biological chemistry

Activities

Phaseolus lunatus has 442 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor, ATPase-Inhibitor, Abortifacient, Acidulant.

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ATPase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Adjuvant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Amphiglycemic?

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Phaseolus lunatus has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include flatulence, herbivores.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations