| A perrenial trailing vine from southwest New Mexico and northern Mexico found above 5000 feet elevation. Beans are black and brown variegated. Traditionally used for soil improvement and livestock forage. The Tarahumara People make a glue from the plant parts and the roots are used medicinally. Wild seeds need to be scarified to germinate, which can be done with sandpaper. The beans are toasted before eating.
Plant 1/2 inch deep and 4 inches apart. Can be grown as an annual. Plants that are overwatered will produce many runners, but few bean pods. A self pollinating perennial, seeds can be saved for next year by harvesting pods as they dry. |
