Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Long-time Arche Noah member Lukas Heilingsetzer harvests 'Irmtraud' bush beans and hangs them under an eave to dry.
RUNNER BEAN
Phaseolus coccineus
Runner beans are not as diverse as common beans, and colloquially, they are often simply lumped in
with pole beans. While this is morphologically correct, it is botanically false, as runner beans are their
own separate species of bean. In addition to appearance, runner beans differentiate themselves from
common beans in that their cotyledons remain underground after germination (hypogeal germination)
instead of rising above ground (epigeal germination). Runner beans are vigorous, robust, not particular
about the weather, and, thanks to the often blazing colors of their edible blossoms, also interesting as
ornamentals. Their other common name, scarlet runner beans, is an allusion to the brilliant red flowers
of many varieties; other varieties have white, reddish white, or pink blossoms. As greenery in the sum-
mer they can be planted by gazebos, shaded benches, or along fences. The long and always green pods
of runner beans are rough and somewhat gnarled; their seeds are typically eaten as dry beans, though
young pods make for tasty green beans.
Runner beans
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
• at least 10 healthy, high-yielding plants
• a climate allowing for full ripening of beans
