Family - Fabaceae

Stems:

N/A

Leaves:

Inflorescence:

N/A

Flowers:

Flowering - July - October.

Habitat - Woods, thickets, hammocks.

Origin - Native to North America.

Other information - This bean can be found mainly in northern Alabama but is fairly uncommon. The plant can be identified by its trailing, twining stems, big leaves, and distinctive flowers. The keel petals of the flowers are twisted and deflexed back into the standard petal.
The genus Phaseolus is the genus of the common bean which we all enjoy at the dinner table.
The genus name Phaseolus derives from the Greek "phaseol" meaning "a kidney bean."
The species epithet polystachios derives from the Greek "poly" meaning "many" and "stach(ys)" meaning "a spike, ear of corn" for the many inflorescences of the plant.

Alabama Distribution:

Photographs taken in the Talladega National Forest, AL., 9-11-05.

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