Phaseolus coccineus (scarlet runner bean)

Phaseolus coccineus, or scarlet runner bean, is a large-seeded bean originating from mountainous Central America. The plant is a short-lived perennial vine, with tuberous (and edible) roots, though is usually grown as an annual that is used for its edible young green beans, for the large dry seeds, or simply for its ornamental flower. The species has been used for studies of bean embryo biology (with a significant EST collection), in part because of the large seeds.

Current publications on Phaseolus coccineus at PubMed.