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Bean

Common, Kidney as green or snap

Leguminosae Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Source: Magness et al. 1971

Beans harvested as snap or green beans are of two types, bush and pole--or climbers. Bush beans are nonclimbing plants 15 to 20 inches tall and set the pods and reach harvest in a short season. Pole beans are trained on stakes or trellis, grow to 10 feet, and blossom and set pods over a long season. Pods on both types are 5 to 10 inches long and are harvested while seeds are immature. Some varieties are termed wax beans.

Season, bloom to harvest: About 30 days. Bush beans set and mature over a short time. Pole beans may continue to bloom and set over several weeks.

Production in U.S.: 700,000 tons.

Use: Marketed as fresh, canned, frozen.

Part of plant consumed: Whole pods.

Last update February 18, 1999 by ch