Ecology:
– Phaseolus species are used as food plants by larvae of some Lepidoptera species
– Common swift, garden dart, ghost moth, Hypercompe albicornis, H. icasia, and nutmeg are some examples
– Phaseolus angustissimus has an OPALS plant allergy scale rating of 4 out of 10
– Moderate potential to cause allergic reactions
– Leaves can cause skin rash and old plants often carry rust
Etymology:
– The generic name Phaseolus was introduced by Linnaeus in 1753
– Latin faseolus is a possible diminutive of phasēlus
– Phasolus from Greek φάσηλος, of unknown origin
– Ancient Greeks referred to any bean in a pod as phasolus
– Term extended to New World beans after introduction of common bean to Europe via Columbian exchange
Taxonomy:
– Previous classifications placed well-known legume species in this genus
– Some species like mung bean were reclassified to Vigna radiata
– Snail bean was moved from Phaseolus to Vigna in 1970
– Modern understanding indicates Phaseolus is endemic only to the New World
– Genus Vigna sometimes necessitates a change of species name
Species:
– Species organized into eight groups based on phylogenetic clades
– Filiformis group includes Phaseolus angustissimus
– Plant has an OPALS plant allergy scale rating of 4 out of 10
– Allergic reactions can be exacerbated by over-use of the same plant
– Leaves can cause skin rash and old plants often carry rust
References:
– Phaseolus Plants of the World Online
– Integrated Taxonomic Information System
– Taxonomy, distribution, and ecology of the genus Phaseolus in North America, Mexico, and Central America
– Genetic relationships and diversity revealed by AFLP markers in Mexican common bean bred cultivars
– Beans (Phaseolus ssp.) as a model for understanding crop evolution in Frontiers in Plant Science