Runner bean Information & Runner bean Links at HealthHaven.com

Runner bean
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae;
Division:	Magnoliophyta;
Class:	Magnoliopsida;
Order:	Fabales;
Family:	Fabaceae;
Subfamily:	Faboideae;
Tribe:	Phaseoleae;
Genus:	Phaseolus;
Species:	P. coccineus;
Binomial name
	Phaseolus coccineus; L.

"Scarlet runner" redirects here. For the 1916 film serial, see The Scarlet Runner.

The runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus, Fabaceae) is often called the scarlet runner bean since most varieties have red flowers and multicolored seeds, though some have white flowers and white seeds. It differs from the common bean in several respects: the cotyledons stay in the ground during germination, and the plant is a perennial with tuberous roots (though it is usually treated as an annual). This species originated from the mountains of Central America.

The green pods are edible whole but in some varieties (the scarlet runner) tend to become fibrous early, and only the seeds within are eaten. The seeds can be used fresh or as dried beans. The starchy roots are still eaten by Central American Indians. In the UK, the flowers are often ignored, or treated as an attractive bonus to cultivating the plant for the beans, whereas in the US the scarlet runner is widely grown for its attractive flowers by people who would never think of eating it.^[1]