Phaseolus L.
Climbing annuals or perennials, usually herbaceous; stems rounded. Lvs pinnately 3-foliolate or rarely with 1 leaflet, stipellate; petiolules unequal; stipules simple, striate. Infl. axillary, racemose, few- to many-flowered. Calyx campanulate; calyx teeth much < tube, connate or free. Keel spirally twisted; stamens diadelphous; anthers uniform. Style thickened within the beak of the keel and twisted with it; ovules numerous. Pod terete or compressed, 2-valved; seeds with a small hilum, estrophiolate.
Key
50 spp., neotropics, neosubtropics, E. U.S.A. Naturalised spp. 2.
