Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus, Sp. pl. 2:724. 1753)

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. pl. 2:724. 1753

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Phaseolus

Vegetable: True

Observations: Mexico to Colombia

Description

The Lima bean, known scientifically as Phaseolus lunatus, is a cherished member of the Fabaceae family. The species was first described in the seminal botanical work “Species Plantarum” in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, often abbreviated simply as “L.”

Lima beans have carved a significant niche in agricultural and culinary practices from Mexico to Colombia. Their cultivation dates back thousands of years in these regions, highlighting their integral role in local agriculture and cuisine. The plants thrive in the warm climates typical of these geographic areas, making them an important crop for sustenance and economic stability.

The Lima bean plant itself is fairly adaptable, exhibiting both bush and vine varieties. This versatility allows for diverse growing conditions and practices. The beans, which can be identified by their distinct kidney-shaped appearance, come in various colors including white, green, and speckled variations.

Culinary-wise, Lima beans are celebrated not only for their rich, buttery flavor but also for their impressive nutritional profile. High in protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals, they serve as a vital nutrient source in both traditional and modern diets. They are commonly found in soups, stews, and salads, and can also be enjoyed as a standalone side dish.

From an agricultural perspective, Lima beans contribute significantly to sustainable farming practices. As legumes, they have the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, thereby enriching the soil and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. This characteristic makes them an environmentally friendly crop choice.

In conclusion, Lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus) are more than just a staple in the diets of those from Mexico to Colombia; they represent a blend of historical significance, agricultural importance, and nutritional value that continues to be relevant in contemporary times.

Common Names

Eng: lima bean, sieva bean, butter bean, lima-bean, sugar bean, burma bean, rangoon bean, rat weed, duffin bean
Deu: limabohne, mondbohne
Ita: fagiolo di lima
Por: fava, feijão-de-lima
Spa: frijol de luna, frijol-de-lima, haba lima, judía de lima, pallar, chilipuca colorada, comba cimarrona, cubacillo, frijol silvestre, frijol de culebra, frijol de media luna, frijolillo, frijolillo de bejuco, habas, ib choh, ixtapacal, iztagapa, petipoa, tapakal
Fra: haricot de lima, haricot du cap, haricot-de-lima, pois du cap
Kin: kisimbo, kisimbo ya pori
Swe: limaböna
En: Lima bean, Sugar bean, Butter bean, Sieva bean, Kara, Lima-bean, Burma bean, Rangoon bean, Rat Weed, Duffin bean, Broad Bean, Butter Beans, Frijol de Media Luna, Frijol de Monte, Haricot de Sieva, Lima Bush Beans, Maidenhair-tree, Pois Amer, Pois du Cap
Eu: Limako babarrun
Ca: Garrofó, Mongeta de Lima
Zh: Main dou, 棉豆
Eo: Limofazeolo
Fi: Limanpapu
Fr: Pois du Cap, Haricot de Lima, Haricot du Cap, Pois savon, Haricot-de-lima, Gros Pois
De: Limabohne, Mondbohne
Ht: Pwachouk
He: שעועית לימה
Id: Kacang lima
Ga: Pónaire mhór
It: Fagiolo di Lima
Ja: Aoi-mame
Rw: Kisimbo, Kisimbo ya pori
Ko: Chaedu, 리마콩
Ms: Kacang serinding
Ml: ബട്ടർ ബീൻസ്
Fa: لوبیای لیما
Pl: Fasola półksiężycowata
Pt: Feijão-de-Lima, Fava
Pt-br: Fava-Belém
Sr: Лима пасуљ
Es: Frijol de luna, Pallar, Judía de Lima, Haba lima, Haba de Lima, Frijol-de-lima, Chilipuca Colorada, Comba Cimarrona, Cubacillo, Frijol Silvestre, Frijol de Culebra, Frijol de Media Luna, Frijolillo, Frijolillo de Bejuco, Habas, Ib Choh, Ixtapacal, Iztagapa, Petipoa, Tapakal
Su: Roay
Sw: Mfiwi
Sv: Limaböna
Tl: Patani
Th: ถั่วราชมาษ
Zh-hant: 棉豆

Synonyms

• Phaseolus rufus (Jacq.)
• Phaseolus latisiliquus (Macfad.)
• Phaseolus ilocanus (Blanco)
• Phaseolus lunatus f. lunonanus (Van Eselt.)
• Phaseolus lunatus f. limenanus (Van Eselt.)
• Phaseolus amazonicus (Benth.)
• Dolichos tonkinensis (Bui-quang-Chieu)
• Phaseolus platyspermus (Haberle ex Steud.)
• Phaseolus limensis (Macfad.)
• Phaseolus portoricensis (Bertero ex Spreng.)
• Phaseolus falcatus (Benth. ex Hemsl.)
• Phaseolus bipunctatus (Jacq.)
• Phaseolus lunatus var. macrocarpus ((Moench) Benth.)
• Phaseolus lunatus f. salicis (Van Eselt.)
• Phaseolus macrocarpus (Moench)
• Phaseolus lunatus var. silvester (Baudet)
• Phaseolus lunatus f. macrocarpus ((Moench) Hassl.)
• Phaseolus lunatus f. solanoides (Van Eselt.)
• Phaseolus xuarezii (Zuccagni)
• Phaseolus maximus (Roxb.)
• Phaseolus lunatus f. vulgaris (Hassl.)
• Phaseolus parviflorus (Stokes)
• Phaseolus lunatus var. albus (Hassk.)
• Phaseolus lunatus var. lilacinus (Hassk.)
• Phaseolus tunkinensis (Lour.)
• Phaseolus lunatus var. longepedunculatus (Hassk.)
• Phaseolus puberulus (Kunth)
• Phaseolus inamoenus (L.)
• Phaseolus foecundus (Macfad.)
• Phaseolus tenuiflorus (Beurl.)
• Phaseolus derasus (Schrank)

Distribution

• Belize (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Mexican Pacific Is. (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Andaman Is. (introduced)
• Angola (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Bahamas (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Benin (introduced)
• Bismarck Archipelago (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Brazil Northeast (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• Brazil West-Central (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Cape Verde (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Central African Repu (introduced)
• China North-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Christmas I. (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Equatorial Guinea (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• French Guiana (introduced)
• Gabon (introduced)
• Ghana (introduced)
• Guinea (introduced)
• Guinea-Bissau (introduced)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
• Guyana (introduced)
• Hainan (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Ivory Coast (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kazan-retto (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• Kermadec Is. (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Liberia (introduced)
• Madagascar (introduced)
• Malawi (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Maldives (introduced)
• Mali (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Marshall Is. (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• Nepal (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• Niger (introduced)
• Nigeria (introduced)
• Ogasawara-shoto (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Rodrigues (introduced)
• Rwanda (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Senegal (introduced)
• Sierra Leone (introduced)
• Southwest Caribbean (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Sudan (introduced)
• Suriname (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)
• Togo (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Uganda (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)
• Zambia (introduced)
• Zaïre (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Apr 3, 2021 by Suwandi PETRUS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2020 by ball bella (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 16, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Leaf

Taken May 5, 2022 by Calderón Monterroso (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 25, 2021 by MARIA Luze (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2020 by Raavi Patel (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2021 by Ronilda David (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2021 by Kai K (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 12, 2020 by Balbinotti Daniel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 12, 2021 by Cordero Rojas Luis Alfredo (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2020 by Balbinotti Daniel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 31, 2021 by Mid Dwr (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 16, 2020 by Oktaviani sisca (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Other

Taken Feb 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Feb 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5350438)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:513918-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Phaseolus lunatus L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Vine, Forb/herb

Growth