424 BOTANY OF CROP PLANTS 



flowers — is grown for the edible beans. The Aroostook 

 bush Lima bean is considered by Tracy to be a bush form of 

 Phaseolus muUiflorus. The species is raised to some extent 

 by the Mexicans, and it is very probable that some at least 

 of the so-called "Mexican beans" are varieties of this species. 

 Phaseolus muUiflorus is a native of South America and 

 Mexico. 



PHASEOLUS LUNATUS (Sieva and Lima Beans) 



These vary in form from low and bushy to tall and climb- 

 ing. The leaves are pinnately trifoliate, the leaflets varying 

 from narrowly lanceolate to ovate. The flowers are small, 

 and in axillary racemes. The pods are usually broad and 

 flat, and have flattened, variously colored beans. 



The native home of these beans is tropical South America. 

 They require higher temperatures than the varieties of 

 Phaseolus vulgaris. 



Classifications of Types of Lima Beans. — There are two 

 general types of Limas, as follows: (i) Phaseolus lunatus, 

 including the Sieva or Carolina type of Lima, and (2) P. 

 lunatus var. macrocarpus, including the true Limas. The 

 latter have a taller and much more robust growth, and 

 thicker leaflets than the Sievas or Carolinas. Li both 

 groups above, there are pole and bush forms. 



Table Showing RELAiioNsmp of Types of Lima Beans 



Phaseolus lunatus (Sieva, Civet, or Carolina beans). 

 Plants bush (Henderson's Bush Lima). 

 Plants pole (Small White Lima, Florida Butter). 

 Phaseolus lunatus var. macrocarpus (true Limas). 

 Seeds very flat and veiny; pods broad and flat, with tip not prominent 

 leaflets broad, not ovate, Flat-seeded Limas. 

 Plants bush (Burpee's Dwarf Lima). 

 Plants pole (King of the Garden). 



