Categories: Fabaceae

Runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus, Sp. Pl.: 724 (1753))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 724 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Phaseolus

Vegetable: True

Observations: Mexico to C. America

Description

The Runner bean, scientifically known as Phaseolus coccineus, is a fascinating plant renowned for its vibrant flowers and nutritious beans. Originating from Mexico and Central America, this species thrives in diverse climates, bridging the gap between decorative and edible gardening.

Belonging to the Fabaceae family, the Runner bean is celebrated both for its aesthetic appeal and its agricultural value. Its striking scarlet (or sometimes white) flowers not only add a splash of color to gardens but also attract beneficial pollinators, such as bees and hummingbirds. These pollinators, in turn, play a crucial role in the ecosystem by aiding the plant’s reproductive process.

The plant’s vigorous growth habit makes it an excellent choice for vertical gardening. When provided with a trellis or support, Runner beans can climb impressively, creating lush, green screens adorned with flowers throughout the growing season. This characteristic not only maximizes garden space but also makes the plant suitable for small garden plots and urban gardening scenarios.

Beyond its ornamental qualities, the Runner bean is cherished for its edible pods and seeds. Young pods can be harvested and eaten whole, offering a tender and flavorful vegetable for culinary use. As they mature, the beans inside can be dried and stored, providing a nutritious and protein-rich food source. The versatility of Runner beans in the kitchen is widely appreciated, making them a staple in many traditional dishes in their regions of origin and beyond.

The history of Phaseolus coccineus dates back to its initial classification in 1753, under the authorship of the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus. This historical context highlights the plant’s long-standing presence and significance in horticulture and agriculture.

In summary, the Runner bean is a multifaceted plant that brings together beauty, utility, and ecological importance. Its origins in Mexico and Central America have bestowed it with a robust and adaptable nature, making it a beloved choice for gardeners and farmers alike.

Common Names

Tur: bombay fasulyesi
Deu: feuer-bohn, feuer-bohne, feuerbohne
Fra: haricot d’espagne, haricot écarlate, haricot-fleur, haricot-d’espagne
Dan: pral-bønne
Eng: runner bean, scarlet runner, multiflora bean, runner-bean, scarlet runner bean, scarlet-runner-bean
Spa: cubá, frijol-chamborote, judía encarnada, judía pinta, pilay, ayocote
Ita: fagiolo die spagna
Ces: fazol šarlatový
Por: feijão-da-espanha, feijão-flor, feijão-trepador
Swe: rosenböna
Hun: török bab, tűzbab
Nld: pronkboon
Nob: prydbønne
Nno: prydbønne
Cym: ffa dringo, ffaen ddringo, ffeuen ddringo
En: Runner bean, Scarlet runner bean, Multiflora bean, Scarlet runner, Runner-bean, Scarlet-runner-bean, Perennial Bean, Cub, Haricot d’Espagne, Haricot á Fleurs Rouges, Runner Beans, Scarlet bean, Dutch Case-Knife Bean
Af: Nierboontijie
Hy: Կրակոտ կարմիր լոբի (Բազմագույն լոբի)
Eu: Babarrun loregorri
Be: Фасоля крывава-чырвоная
Ca: Mongeta vermella, Mongetera vermella
Zh: He bao dou, 荷包豆
Cs: Fazol šarlatový
Da: Pralbønne, Pral-bønne
Nl: Pronkboon, Slaboon
Eo: Fajrofazeolo
Fi: Ruusupapu
Fr: Haricot d’Espagne, Haricot écarlate, Haricot-fleur, Haricot-d’espagne, Haricot a Fleurs Rouges
Gl: Faba de tres anos
De: Feuerbohne, Arabische Bohne, Blumenbohne, Feuer-Bohne, Käferbohne, Schminkbohne, Stangenbohne, Türkische Bohne, Feuer-Bohn, Wollbohne
He: שעועית הרץ
Hu: Török bab, Tűzbab
Ga: Pónaire reatha
It: Fagiolo die Spagna, Fagiuolo americano, Fagiolo americano, Fagiolo rampicante di Spagna
Ja: Hana-sasage
Kk: Түрік бұршағы
Ko: Bulgeungangnamkong
Lt: Raudonžiedė pupelė
No: Prydbønne
Nb: Prydbønne
Nn: Prydbønne
Fa: لوبیای قرمز
Pl: Fasola wielokwiatowa
Pt: Phaseolus lunatus, Feijão-da-espanha, Feijão-flor, Feijão-trepador
Pt-br: Feijão-da-Espanha, Feijão-trepador
Ru: Фасоль многоцветковая
Sk: Fazuľa
Es: Judía encarnada, Judía pinta, Pilay, Cubá, Ayocote, Frijol-chamborote, Chamborote, Chilipuca
Sv: Rosenböna
Zh-tw: 荷包豆
Zh-hant: 荷包豆
Tr: Ateş fasulyesi, Bombay fasulyesi
Cy: Ffeuen ddringo, Ffa Dringo, Ffaen Ddringo

Synonyms

Lipusa formosa ((Kunth) Alef.)
Phaseolus coccineus var. lineatibracteolatus (Freytag)
Phaseolus prorifirus (M.E.Jones)
Phaseolus coccineus var. griseus ((Piper) Freytag)
Phaseolus coccineus var. parvibracteolatus (Freytag)
Phaseolus coccineus var. semperbracteolatus (Freytag)
Phaseolus multiflorus var. albiflorus (DC.)
Phaseolus coccineus var. strigillosus ((Piper) Freytag)
Lipusa multiflora var. bicolor ((Vell.) Alef.)
Phaseolus coccineus var. splendens (Freytag)
Phaseolus coccineus var. tridentatus (Freytag)
Phaseolus leiosepalus (Piper)
Phaseolus coccineus var. pubescens (Freytag)
Phaseolus coccineus var. condensatus (Freytag)
Phaseolus bicolor (Vell.)
Phaseolus obvallatus (Schltdl.)
Phaseolus multiflorus var. coccineus ((L.) DC.)
Phaseolus coccineus var. argenteus (Freytag)
Phaseolus formosus (Kunth)
Phaseolus coccineus subsp. striatus ((Brandegee) Freytag)
Phaseolus coccineus var. striatus ((Brandegee) Freytag)
Phaseolus coccineus var. guatemalensis (Freytag)
Phaseolus coccineus var. purpurascens (Freytag)
Phaseolus multiflorus var. niger (G.Martens)
Phaseolus coccineus var. rigidicaulis (Freytag)
Phaseolus multiflorus var. albus (G.Martens)
Phaseolus coccineus var. pringlei (Rose ex Freytag)
Phaseolus multiflorus var. bicolor ((Vell.) G.Martens)
Phaseolus coccineus var. zongolicensis (Freytag)
Lipusa multiflora (Alef.)
Phaseolus coccineus var. minuticicatricatus (Freytag)
Phaseolus striatus (Brandegee)
Phaseolus strigillosus (Piper)
Phaseolus coccineus var. timilpanensis (Freytag)
Phaseolus coccineus subsp. formosus ((Kunth) Maréchal, Mascherpa & Stainier)
Phaseolus coccineus subsp. obvallatus ((Schltdl.) Maréchal, Mascherpa & Stainier)
Phaseolus sylvestris (Kunth)
Phaseolus superbus (A.DC.)
Lipusa multiflora var. niger ((G.Martens) Alef.)
Phaseolus vulgaris var. coccineus ((L.) Klett & Richt.)
Phaseolus griseus (Piper)
Lipusa multiflora var. alba (Alef.)
Lipusa multiflora var. coccinea ((L.) Alef.)
Lipusa multiflora var. lucida (Alef.)

Distribution

Guatemala (native)
Honduras (native)
Mexico Central (native)
Mexico Gulf (native)
Mexico Northeast (native)
Mexico Northwest (native)
Mexico Southeast (native)
Mexico Southwest (native)
Nicaragua (native)
Panamá (native)
Alabama (introduced)
Amur (introduced)
Assam (introduced)
Baltic States (introduced)
Bangladesh (introduced)
Belarus (introduced)
Bulgaria (introduced)
Central European Rus (introduced)
China North-Central (introduced)
China South-Central (introduced)
China Southeast (introduced)
Colombia (introduced)
Czechoslovakia (introduced)
East European Russia (introduced)
East Himalaya (introduced)
Ecuador (introduced)
Ethiopia (introduced)
India (introduced)
Inner Mongolia (introduced)
Jawa (introduced)
Kenya (introduced)
Khabarovsk (introduced)
Kirgizstan (introduced)
Korea (introduced)
Manchuria (introduced)
Nepal (introduced)
New Guinea (introduced)
New Zealand North (introduced)
New Zealand South (introduced)
North European Russi (introduced)
Northwest European R (introduced)
Pakistan (introduced)
Primorye (introduced)
Rwanda (introduced)
South European Russi (introduced)
Tanzania (introduced)
Transcaucasus (introduced)
Ukraine (introduced)
Uzbekistan (introduced)
Wake I. (introduced)
West Himalaya (introduced)