**Description of Tepary Bean:**
– Tepary bean is an annual plant with stems up to 4m long.
– Varieties include tenuifolius and latifolius.
– Flowers appear in late August, with pods ripening in October.
– Beans come in various colors and sizes, maturing 60 to 120 days after planting.
– Known by names like Pawi, Pavi, Escomite, and Yori mui.
**Cultivation of Tepary Bean:**
– Native Americans have grown tepary beans for thousands of years.
– Very drought-tolerant and disease-resistant.
– Major food staple in the Southwestern US and northern Mexico.
– Cultivated alongside squash and corn in Three Sisters agriculture.
– Introduced to Anglo farmers in the 19th century.
**Heat Stress Resistance of Tepary Bean:**
– Tepary bean diverged from common bean around 2.1 Mya.
– Genes support resistance to abiotic stress in arid zones.
– Amino sugars protect against heat stress by preventing protein denaturation.
– High temperatures lead to cell cycle arrest and trehalose overexpression.
– Intrachromosomal rearrangement affects hybrid development.
**Medical Uses and Research of Tepary Bean:**
– Lectin toxins and compounds from tepary beans show potential for cancer treatment.
– Ongoing research in the US and Mexico.
– Further studies needed to explore chemotherapy applications.
**References and External Links:**
– Wikimedia Commons and Wikispecies have related media and information.
– IUCN Red List provides species status.
– Various publications cover ethnobotany, cultivation, and uses of tepary beans.
– Research institutions like the International Center for Tropical Agriculture testing crossbreeds.
– Tepary beans cultivated in North America, Africa, Australia, and Asia; used in Indian snacks.
– External links provide additional information on the Tepary Bean, toxicity studies, and NatureServe information.