Runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus L.)

Runner bean varieties with seeds	Blue-podded runner beans with seeds

Source: Bock D., MPI Köln

Distribution, Yield, Use:

• Distribution:
  The runner bean is grown in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. It is found predominantly in inhospitable situations where the more demanding string bean does not thrive.
• Yield:
  Green pods 200-300 dt/ha
  ripe seeds 30-60 dt/ha
  Use and nutritional content see common bean

Region of origin: Region of cultivation:

• Cultivation and Breeding:
  Cultivation of the runner bean, like that of the common bean, originates from central America. The presumed ancestral plant (Phaseolus obvallatus) occurs in the humid mountain valleys of Guatemala and Costa Rica and forms thickened, nodule-bearing roots similar to the cultivated form. The runner bean has a strong climbing, disease-resistant growth habit. Leaves and flowers are bigger than those of the garden bean. The hard, fibrous pods reach up to 40 cm long and contain large seeds (2.5 cm).
• Breeding aims:
  High yield and fleshy, fibre-free pods with a good taste are important breeding aims.

Text by Dr. Wolfgang Schuchert
Adapted to HTML by R.Saedler