Lima bean
A legume domesticated twice in the Americas.
The lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus), also known as butter bean, sieva bean, double bean, or Madagascar bean, is a legume grown for its edible seeds or beans. It is a domesticated species of economic and cultural importance worldwide, especially in Mexico, with two gene pools pointing to independent domestication events in Mesoamerica and the western Andes.
- field
- Agriculture, Botany
- known_for
- Edible legume with two domestication events; source of lima and butter beans
- origin
- Meso- and South America
Lore & Background
Phaseolus lunatus is found in Meso- and South America, with two gene pools indicating independent domestication. During the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru, lima beans were exported, and boxes labeled 'Lima, Peru' gave the beans their name.
Reader's Guide
The lima bean is a warm-season crop in the U.S., grown mainly in Delaware and the mid-Atlantic region for processing and in the Midwest and California for dry beans. Both bush and pole cultivars exist, with bush types maturing earlier. The seeds range from 1 to 3 cm long and are oval to kidney-shaped; colors include white, black, red, orange, and mottled. The plant uses several defenses, including extrafloral nectar secretion to attract predatory mites and cyanogenesis to release hydrogen cyanide. It also signals to carnivorous mites via herbivore-induced plant volatiles when attacked by herbivores. Pathogens include Phytophthora phaseoli, which causes downy mildew, and Didymella, a foliar disease in baby lima beans. The two-spotted spider mite prefers lima bean as a host, and the seed corn maggot damages seeds and seedlings.
Did You Know?
- The name 'lima bean' comes from boxes of beans exported from Lima, Peru during the Spanish Viceroyalty.
- Lima beans use extrafloral nectar secretion to attract predatory mites that prey on herbivores like spider mites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a lima bean?
The lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) is a legume species grown primarily for its edible seeds. It is one of the most widely cultivated beans in the Americas and carries several common names such as butter bean, sieva bean, and Madagascar bean.
How many times were lima beans independently domesticated?
Lima beans were domesticated twice, in separate regions of the Americas. One event took place in the western Andes and the other in Mesoamerica, giving the species two distinct gene pools.
What are the common alternative names for lima beans?
Beyond the standard 'lima bean,' the legume is widely called butter bean, sieva bean, double bean, or Madagascar bean depending on the region and variety being referenced.
Why is the lima bean considered culturally and economically important?
The lima bean holds particular significance in Mexican cuisine and agriculture, where it has been a staple crop for centuries. Its dual independent domestication also makes it a key subject in studies of ancient crop development across the Americas.
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