Wild Kidney Bean

Phaseolus polystachios

This is a vining perennial in the legume family. They are the wild version of our cultivated lima beans. The beans off of this native plant are indeed edible and can be cooked or stored just as lima beans would. They require medium soils in full to part sun. Ours are very happy in part sun. This is the host plant for the Long Tailed Skipper butterfly! It’s currently listed as Critically Imperiled via NatureServe.