Bean is a common name for large plant seeds
of several genera of Fabaceae (formerly Leguminosae) (English:
leguminous, legumes), used for food or feed. Bean originally
meant the seed of the fava bean, but was later broadened to
include members of the genus Phaseolus such as the common bean
or haricot and the runner bean and the related genus Vigna. The
term is now applied in a general way to many other related
plants such as soybeans, peas, lentils, vetches and lupins. It
can be used as a near synonym of pulse, that is an edible
legume, though some restrict pulse to just varieties used as dry
seeds.
The Common bean or haricot which is a member of genus Phaseolus
is part of many bean varieties that belong in this species, and
there are also may terms which apply to all or part of the
species depending upon variety and treatment. These beans,
although commonly known as "vegetables", are actually fruit,
because they develop from a plant ovary and house seeds.
Varieties grown for the dry bean include pinto beans, navy beans
or pea beans, kidney beans and black turtle beans. The many
varieties grown for the pods are referred to as green beans,
string beans or snap beans and include the wax beans. Both bush
and running (pole) varieties exist. The colors and shape of pods
and seeds vary tremendously.
