Home > Herbs > Phaseolus Vulgaris

string bean

Phaseolus vulgaris · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Extensive (1867 studies) · ★★★★★

String bean, scientifically known as Phaseolus vulgaris, is a versatile legume celebrated for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Rich in essential proteins, vitamins, and minerals, it supports digestive health and blood sugar regulation. This widely cultivated plant serves as a vital dietary staple, offering significant antioxidant and therapeutic benefits.

Family
Fabaceae
Native range
Europe
Parts used
Seed · Leaf
Common names
Common-Bean · French-Bean · 14 more
Scientific synonyms
Phaseolus Zebra Var. Carneus · Phaseolus Zebra Var. Griseus · 292 more

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Phaseolus vulgaris

Synonyms

Regional and Traditional Names

Spanish:

  • fríjol
  • Faseolus vulgaris
  • judía
  • alubia
  • poroto
  • bajoca
  • judía pinta
  • feijao
  • frejol
  • fabe
  • chícharo
  • habichuela
  • faba
  • haba
  • P. vulgaris
  • judia
  • frijol
  • judia pinta
  • chicharo
  • frijoles
  • frijol
  • habichuela
  • judía común
  • poroto
  • Habichuelas
  • alubia
  • caraota
  • fréjol
  • fríjol
  • judía

German:

  • Keniabohne
  • Buschbohne
  • Gartenbohne
  • Stangenbohne
  • Pintobohne
  • Wachsbohne
  • Grüne Bohne
  • Bohnschoten
  • Strankerl
  • Schnittbohne
  • Fisole
  • Wachtelbohne
  • Prinzeßbohne
  • Prinzessbohne
  • Garten-Bohne
  • Bohne
  • Gewöhnliche Bohne

French:

  • haricot commun
  • Haricot sec
  • Phaesolus vulgaris
  • Haricot vulgaire
  • Fayots
  • haricot
  • haricots
  • haricot
  • haricot commun
  • Haricot cultive

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 classified under the family Fabaceae and the genus Phaseolus. Specifically, Phaseolus vulgaris represents a key species within this taxonomic hierarchy.

Rank Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Fabales
Family Fabaceae
Genus Phaseolus

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse presence across various regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its distribution can be identified within the borders of Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, it is found throughout Germany as well as the regions of Czechia and Slovakia. The species also extends into Southeastern Europe, specifically within Bulgaria. Finally, its geographical range reaches Eastern Europe, where it is documented in Belarus.

Region Area
Northern Europe Great Britain
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia
Middle Europe Germany
Southeastern Europe Bulgaria
Eastern Europe Belarus
Eastern Europe Baltic States
Eastern Europe Central European Russia
Eastern Europe East European Russia
Eastern Europe North European Russia
Eastern Europe South European Russia

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Phaseolus vulgaris is characterized by its preference for anthropogenic environments, specifically thriving within crop fields where it is cultivated as a primary agricultural resource. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal adaptability, capable of colonizing diverse topographical zones ranging from low-lying areas at 30 m AMSL to high-altitude regions reaching a maximum of 2550 m AMSL. On average, the plant is most commonly found at a mean elevation of 1800 m AMSL, indicating a strong ecological capacity to adjust to varying atmospheric pressures and temperature gradients across its vertical distribution.

Elevational range max:
2550 m AMSL
Elevational range mean:
1800 m AMSL
Elevational range min:
30 m AMSL
Habitat :
crop fields

Life history

The life history of Phaseolus vulgaris is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process—from germination to seed production and death—within a single growing season. In terms of its ecological classification, the species is categorized as a therophyte, a life form defined by its strategy of surviving unfavorable environmental conditions through the production of hardy seeds rather than maintaining persistent vegetative structures. This therophytic nature allows it to rapidly colonize suitable habitats, utilizing its brief period of growth to maximize reproductive output before the onset of seasonal changes.

Life form :
therophyte
Lifecycle :
annual

Morphology

The morphology of Phaseolus vulgaris is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. As a terrestrial plant, it is an independent organism that does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant exhibits a scandent shoot orientation and can function as an obligatory climber, although it is also capable of being self-supporting. In terms of vertical development, its height is highly variable, ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 4 m, with a mean plant height of approximately 2.41 m.

Aquatic :
terrestrial
Climber :
self-supporting
Climber :
obligatory
Epiphyte :
terrestrial
Growth form :
herb
Growth form :
forb
Parasite :
independent
Plant height max:
4 m
Plant height mean:
2.41 m
Plant height min:
0.2 m
Shoot orientation :
scandent
Woodiness :
non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Phaseolus vulgaris is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation mechanisms and metabolic efficiency. As a non-carnivorous organism, it relies on soil-based nutrient uptake, significantly enhanced by its capacity as a nitrogen fixer, establishing symbiotic relationships to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms. The plant's leaf morphology plays a critical role in its resource management, featuring an ovate leaf form with a mean leaf size of 92.25625 cm². The structural efficiency of the foliage is further defined by a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 170.3 cm²/g, reflecting the balance between leaf mass and surface area for gas exchange and light interception. Within these leaf structures, individual leaf lengths can reach a maximum of 5 cm, contributing to the overall canopy architecture and photosynthetic capacity of the species.

Carnivory :
non-carnivorous
Leaf form :
ovate
Leaf length max:
5 cm
Leaf size mean:
92.25625 cm²
Nitrogen fixer :
yes
Photosynthetic pathway :
C3
Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:
170.3 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Phaseolus vulgaris is primarily a sexual process, as asexual reproduction is absent. The flowering period typically begins in June and concludes in August, characterized by the production of violet-colored flowers that range in length from 1 cm to 1.5 cm. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects such as bees to facilitate fertilization, although self-fertilization is also present. Following successful pollination, the plant develops a dry, capsule-type fruit. These fruits vary in size, with a length ranging from 4 cm to 30 cm and a width between 1 cm and 3 cm. Each capsule is dehiscent and contains a seed count typically ranging from 1 to 10 seeds per fruit. The seeds themselves exhibit a mean mass of approximately 0.402 g, with individual masses ranging from a minimum of 0.0935 g to a maximum of 0.675 g, and a consistent seed volume of 360 mm³. Dispersal of the seeds is categorized as hydrochorous.

Dehiscence :
dehiscent
Dispersal syndrome :
hydrochorous
Flower colour :
violet
Flower length max:
1.5 cm
Flower length min:
1 cm
Flowering time :
Jun
Flowering time :
Aug
Fruit dryness :
dry
Fruit length max:
30 cm
Fruit length min:
4 cm
Fruit type :
capsule
Fruit width max:
3 cm
Fruit width min:
1 cm
Pollination syndrome :
insect
Pollination syndrome :
bee
Pollination syndrome :
biotic
Reproduction asexual :
absent
Seed mass max:
0.675 g
Seed mass mean:
0.4020616505 g
Seed mass min:
0.0935 g
Seed volume max:
360 mm³
Seeds_per_fruit :
1-10
Self fertilization :
present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Phaseolus vulgaris has 3 reported plant parts identified across 18 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed, leaf, root.

Plant parts reported in Phaseolus vulgaris
Plant part Supporting sources Consensus
Seed 14 supporting sources ★★★★★
Leaf 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Root 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Seed

  1. Phytochemistry
  2. Archivos latinoamericanos de nutricion
  3. Glycobiology
  4. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
  5. Die Nahrung
View 9 additional sources
  1. Plant physiology
  2. FEBS letters
  3. Biochimica et biophysica acta
  4. Zeitschrift fur Lebensmittel-Untersuchung und -Forschung
  5. Analytical biochemistry
  6. Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas
  7. Biochemistry and molecular biology international
  8. The British journal of nutrition
  9. Preparative biochemistry

Leaf

  1. The Biochemical journal
  2. Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine : AAEM

Root

  1. Biochimica et biophysica acta
  2. The Journal of experimental zoology

Chemicals

Phaseolus vulgaris has 424 reported phytochemicals identified across 18 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Phaseolin, Lectin, CHLOROPHYLL, Phytohemagglutinin, methionine.

Chemicals reported in Phaseolus vulgaris
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
Phaseolin 15 supporting sources ★★★★★
Lectin 14 supporting sources ★★★★★
CHLOROPHYLL 10 supporting sources ★★★★★
Phytohemagglutinin 8 supporting sources ★★★★☆
methionine 8 supporting sources ★★★★☆
Phytic acid 7 supporting sources ★★★★☆
lysine 7 supporting sources ★★★★☆
IRON 6 supporting sources ★★★☆☆
STARCH 6 supporting sources ★★★☆☆
Trypsin Inhibitors 6 supporting sources ★★★☆☆

Phaseolin

  1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
  2. The Journal of biological chemistry
  3. Plant molecular biology
  4. The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology
  5. Molecular biology and evolution
View 10 additional sources
  1. Biochemistry
  2. The Plant cell
  3. Nucleic acids research
  4. International journal of biological macromolecules
  5. Genome
  6. Gene
  7. European journal of biochemistry
  8. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
  9. International journal of peptide and protein research
  10. Molecular & general genetics : MGG

Lectin

  1. BioFactors (Oxford, England)
  2. The British journal of nutrition
  3. Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology
  4. Indian journal of experimental biology
  5. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
View 9 additional sources
  1. Journal of parasitic diseases : official organ of the Indian Society for Parasitology
  2. Preparative biochemistry
  3. Biochimica et biophysica acta
  4. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
  5. Journal of the Royal Society of Health
  6. Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas
  7. Journal of food science
  8. Molecular & general genetics : MGG
  9. The Journal of nutrition

CHLOROPHYLL

  1. Acta biologica Hungarica
  2. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
  3. Photochemistry and photobiology
  4. Planta
  5. Biochemistry international
View 5 additional sources
  1. European journal of biochemistry
  2. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
  3. Biofizika
  4. Plant physiology
  5. Indian journal of biochemistry & biophysics

Phytohemagglutinin

  1. The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology
  2. The Plant cell
  3. The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology
  4. Plant molecular biology
  5. European journal of biochemistry
View 3 additional sources
  1. Plant physiology
  2. Journal of molecular and applied genetics
  3. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

methionine

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
  3. Archivos latinoamericanos de nutricion
  4. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
  5. Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology
View 3 additional sources
  1. Biochemistry and molecular biology international
  2. Molecular & general genetics : MGG
  3. Journal of biochemistry

Phytic acid

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. The American journal of clinical nutrition
  3. The Journal of nutrition
  4. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
  5. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
View 2 additional sources
  1. International journal of food sciences and nutrition
  2. Archivos latinoamericanos de nutricion

lysine

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. International journal of food sciences and nutrition
  3. Archivos latinoamericanos de nutricion
  4. Zeitschrift fur Lebensmittel-Untersuchung und -Forschung
  5. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
View 2 additional sources
  1. Biochemistry and molecular biology international
  2. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

IRON

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Biological trace element research
  3. Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology
  4. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
  5. The American journal of clinical nutrition
View 1 additional sources
  1. International journal of food sciences and nutrition

STARCH

  1. The American journal of clinical nutrition
  2. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
  3. The Journal of nutrition
  4. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
  5. Die Nahrung
View 1 additional sources
  1. Archivos latinoamericanos de nutricion

Trypsin Inhibitors

  1. International journal of food sciences and nutrition
  2. Journal - Association of Official Analytical Chemists
  3. Archivos latinoamericanos de nutricion
  4. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
  5. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
View 1 additional sources
  1. Biochemistry and molecular biology international

Activities

Phaseolus vulgaris has 690 reported activities identified across 18 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Alpha-Amylase-Inhibitor, Anticancer, Anticarcinogenic, Antidiabetic, Antimutagenic.

Activities reported in Phaseolus vulgaris
Activity Supporting sources Consensus
Alpha-Amylase-Inhibitor 10 supporting sources ★★★★★
Anticancer 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Anticarcinogenic 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antidiabetic 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antimutagenic 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antiviral 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Diuretic 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Hepatoprotective 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Hypocholesterolemic 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Alpha-Amylase-Inhibitor

  1. Biochimica et biophysica acta
  2. Plant physiology
  3. Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology
  4. Planta
  5. Proteins
View 5 additional sources
  1. Journal of biochemistry
  2. Acta crystallographica. Section D, Biological crystallography
  3. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
  4. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry
  5. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

Anticancer

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Anticarcinogenic

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. The Journal of nutrition

Antidiabetic

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antimutagenic

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Mutation research

Antioxidant

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Antiviral

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Diuretic

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hepatoprotective

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Hypocholesterolemic

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. The American journal of clinical nutrition

Conditions

Phaseolus vulgaris has 71 reported investigations on conditions identified across 18 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include drought, obesity, vomiting, water stress, weight loss.

Conditions investigated for Phaseolus vulgaris
Condition Supporting sources Consensus
Drought 3 supporting sources ★★☆☆☆
Obesity 3 supporting sources ★★☆☆☆
Vomiting 3 supporting sources ★★☆☆☆
Water stress 3 supporting sources ★★☆☆☆
Weight loss 3 supporting sources ★★☆☆☆
Acute renal failure 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Alfalfa mosaic virus 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Cancer 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Chlorosis 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Diabetes mellitus 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Drought

  1. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
  2. FEBS letters
  3. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Obesity

  1. Journal of the American College of Nutrition
  2. Phytotherapy research : PTR
  3. The British journal of nutrition

Vomiting

  1. Ugeskrift for laeger
  2. American journal of kidney diseases : the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation
  3. Epidemiology and infection

Water stress

  1. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
  2. Plant & cell physiology
  3. Plant physiology

Weight loss

  1. The British journal of nutrition
  2. Journal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine
  3. Veterinary pathology

Acute renal failure

  1. American journal of kidney diseases : the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation
  2. Nephron

Alfalfa mosaic virus

  1. Plant molecular biology
  2. Acta virologica

Cancer

  1. Journal of the American College of Nutrition
  2. Molecular diversity

Chlorosis

  1. Microbiology (Reading, England)
  2. The Journal of general virology

Diabetes mellitus

  1. Journal of the American College of Nutrition
  2. Archivos de investigacion medica

Preparations

Phaseolus vulgaris has 45 reported preparations identified across 18 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts, raw beans, seeds, Aqueous extracts, FA.

Preparations reported for Phaseolus vulgaris
Preparation Supporting sources Consensus
Extracts 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Raw beans 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Seeds 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Aqueous extracts 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Fa 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Leaves ground to fine powder in liquid nitrogen 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Milled 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Acetonic extract preparations 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Aqueous extracts 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Baked beans 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Extracts

  1. Heliyon
  2. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine

Raw beans

  1. Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas
  2. Journal of animal science

Seeds

  1. Phytochemistry
  2. The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology

Aqueous extracts

  1. Cytobios

Fa

  1. Journal of medicinal food

Leaves ground to fine powder in liquid nitrogen

  1. FEBS letters

Milled

  1. European journal of clinical nutrition

Acetonic extract preparations

  1. Fitoterapia

Aqueous extracts

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

Baked beans

  1. The British journal of nutrition