Lima Bean (Phaseolus lunatus)

Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

P. lunatus is a fast-growing herbaceous vine, attaining up to 6 m in length.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Immature seed - cooked and used like peas in soups, stews etc. The mature seed is dried and stored for future use. It must be thoroughly cooked before being eaten. — Immature seed - cooked and used like peas in soups, stews etc.; The mature seed is dried and stored for future use.; It must be thoroughly cooked before being eaten.; It is best soaked for about 12 hours prior to cooking and is eaten in soups, stews or fermented and made into tempeh.

Habitat & North American Range

Along stream banks and in moist areas in deciduous tropical forests, usually in thickets and climbing over shrubs or small trees and often invading cut-over lands and along fences and paths; at elevations up to 1,600 metres. (Zone 10)