Plants in family fabaceae
Phaseolus vulgaris 'Provider'
Phaseolus vulgaris 'Provider' is a high-yielding, early-producing bean variety known for its disease resistance and stringless, straight beans. This cultivar, developed in 1965, germinates well in cooler soils, making it a reliable choice for early planting. It is excellent for freezing and canning, providing a versatile addition to the home garden. Its robust growth and productivity make it a staple for gardeners seeking a dependable bean crop.
Phaseolus coccineus
Phaseolus coccineus, commonly known as the Scarlet Runner Bean, is a perennial vine notable for its vibrant red flowers and multicolored seeds. Originating from Central America, it has been cultivated since ancient times in regions like Mexico and Guatemala. The vine can grow over 10 feet tall, with pods reaching up to 10 inches long. While the young pods are edible and flavorful, mature pods can be shelled for beans. This plant is a member of the legume family and is known for attracting pollinators such as hummingbirds and bees. It is also popular in British cuisine and has several cultivars, including 'Scarlet Runner' and 'Painted Lady'. However, it contains a toxic protein, phytohaemagglutinin, which requires proper preparation before consumption. The plant's starchy roots are traditionally consumed in Mesoamerica.
Lupinus texensis
Lupinus texensis, the state flower of Texas, is an annual plant that thrives in naturalized wildflower areas. Known for its tall plumes of blue flowers, it attracts bees and butterflies, adding life to gardens. This plant self-sows readily and grows best in moist conditions, with seedlings emerging in the fall. Its seeds have a hard coat and can be scarified to improve germination.
Amorpha nana
Amorpha nana is a perennial shrub native to North America, known for its vibrant green, fern-like leaves and clusters of purple, honey-scented flowers. This dwarf shrub thrives in dry prairies and rocky hillsides, preferring rocky and sandy soils. It is drought-tolerant and well-suited for rock gardens. The plant produces small pods as fruits and is a member of the Pea family. Its unique reddish-orange pollen adds to its visual appeal. Amorpha nana was first described by Thomas Nuttall in 1813 and is a native of the Midwest and Great Plains regions of the United States.
Medicago sativa
Medicago sativa, commonly known as alfalfa, is a nutrient-rich plant high in protein, essential amino acids, and vitamins. It is often used to add flavor and texture to salads and sandwiches, making it a versatile addition to culinary dishes.
Vigna angularis
Important in Eastern Asian cuisine, this versatile and nutrient-rich plant is used in desserts in China and Japan. It is easier to digest than cooked legumes, containing more enzymes and less starch, and requires extra rinsing to keep moist.
Phaseolus vulgaris
Phaseolus vulgaris, an Italian heirloom bean, is known for its thin, crisp, and flavorful purple pods that turn green when cooked. The plant can grow 6 to 8 feet tall and features lavender flowers. It is disease-resistant and performs well in cool weather, making it suitable for container gardening. This versatile bean is excellent for fresh consumption, freezing, or canning, and continues to produce until frost. Its climbing habit and high yield make it a valuable addition to any vegetable garden.
Indigofera heterantha
Indigofera heterantha is a deciduous shrub known for its vibrant purple, pea-like flowers that bloom in summer. This hardy plant, native to the northwest Himalayas, can withstand temperatures as low as 5°F. It features pinnate leaves with up to 21 grey-green leaflets and can grow up to 7 feet long. The shrub is drought-tolerant and can become herbaceous in colder climates. It has been recognized with the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. The plant's seeds have traditional uses in treating gastrointestinal issues. Its open branches and mimosa-like leaves add a unique texture to gardens.
Thermopsis lanceolata
Thermopsis lanceolata, native to Russia, is an early-season flowering perennial with bright yellow, baptisia-like flowers. It grows in 3-foot tall clumps with peanut-like leaves and thrives in sunny locations.
Thermopsis villosa
Thermopsis villosa, native to the southern Appalachian mountains, is a herbaceous plant in the legume family. It develops 4-foot tall un-branched spikes with clusters of butter yellow flowers and is drought tolerant.
Trigonella foenum-graecum
Trigonella foenum-graecum, commonly known as fenugreek, is a plant whose seeds are rich in essential vitamins such as A, B6, and C, as well as minerals like iron and potassium. It contains various health-promoting phytochemicals and its young, tender leaves can be used as greens in cooking. This plant is valued for its nutritional benefits and versatility in culinary applications.
Lupinus ehrenbergii var. ehrenbergii
Lupinus ehrenbergii var. ehrenbergii is a compact plant with loose spikes of flowers in pink, blue, purple, and white. It tolerates poor, dry soil and is ideal for containers and rock gardens.
Pediomelum canescens
Pediomelum canescens is a native plant of the Southeastern US, forming a 2.5-foot tall by 2.5-foot wide clump with heavily-branched stalks. It produces small flowers that are blue in bud and open to creamy white, thriving in prairies and open woodlands.
Baptisia megacarpa
Baptisia megacarpa is a native plant of Georgia, Alabama, and the Florida panhandle, known for its drought and flood tolerance. It has an arched habit with yellow flowers in late spring, primarily pollinated by bees.
Thermopsis montana
Thermopsis montana, also known as false lupin or mountain goldenbanner, is a perennial herb native to the western United States. It features golden-yellow flowers that bloom from May to August and leaves that grow in triplicate formations. This plant is used as a medicinal and ornamental plant and is suspected of being poisonous to livestock.
Mimosa pudica
Mimosa pudica, commonly known as the sensitive plant, is a fascinating perennial native to the Caribbean and South America. It is renowned for its rapid leaf-folding response to touch, a defense mechanism that exposes its spines. This plant features forest green, compound leaflets and globe-shaped lilac-pink blooms. It thrives in tropical climates as a perennial but is often grown as an annual or houseplant elsewhere. Mimosa pudica prefers nutrient-poor soils and is not shade-tolerant. It is also known for its ability to extract heavy metals from polluted soils, making it useful for phytoremediation. Despite its beauty, it can become invasive in some regions.
Astragalus crassicarpus
Astragalus crassicarpus is a native North American legume with glaucous, crown vetch-like foliage and short clusters of white flowers in spring. It produces inflated seed pods resembling giant marbles and serves as a host for Afranius Duskywing butterflies. The plant has edible fruit used historically by Native Americans, although the rest of the plant is poisonous.
Lablab purpureus
Lablab purpureus, also known as hyacinth bean, is an ornamental plant with striking pinkish-purple flowers and dark purple pods. Its twining stems make it perfect for climbing fences or trellises, and it can also serve as an attractive ground cover or container plant. While visually appealing, it contains toxins and is not recommended for consumption.
Cercis canadensis
Cercis canadensis, commonly known as the Eastern Redbud, is a large deciduous shrub or small tree native to eastern North America. It grows 20-30 feet tall with a spread of 26-33 feet, featuring a short, often twisted trunk and dark, smooth bark that becomes scaly with age. The tree is known for its heart-shaped leaves and showy magenta pink flowers that bloom in clusters, attracting long-tongued bees. It produces flattened, dry, brown pea-like pods and is cultivated in parks and gardens for its ornamental value.
Amorpha fruticosa
Amorpha fruticosa, also known as native leadwort, is a drought-tolerant shrub found on riverbanks. It grows up to 8 feet tall and features pinnate green leaves and purple flowers with bright orange pollen in late May. This plant is ideal for attracting butterflies and thrives in sunny gardens.
Apios priceana
Apios priceana is a climbing vine native to the Southeastern United States, known for its large underground tuber and fragrant pale pink or greenish-yellow flowers in summer. It produces long slender pods and is pollinated by bees and long-tailed skippers. This federally threatened species thrives in humus-enriched loamy soil and is used as a food source by Indigenous peoples.
Lupinus perennis
Lupinus perennis, native to eastern North America, is a perennial plant known for its tall spikes of blue-lavender flowers that bloom in mid to late May. It thrives in sandy soils, often found in dunes and savannas from Minnesota to Georgia. The plant features palmately compound leaves with 7-11 lobes and produces necklace-shaped pods. It serves as a food source for caterpillars of various Lepidoptera species. Due to habitat loss, it is considered rare or endangered in several states. Seeds require scarification for germination, with ideal temperatures between 75-85°F.
Wisteria frutescens 'Amethyst Falls'
Wisteria frutescens 'Amethyst Falls' is a vigorous, non-invasive climbing vine native to North America. It features lightly fragrant purple flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds, blooming in late spring and summer. This deer-resistant and drought-tolerant plant can grow up to 15 feet tall, making it suitable for smaller gardens or containers.
Erythrina herbacea
Erythrina herbacea, commonly known as the coral bean, is a flowering shrub or small tree native to the southeastern United States and northeastern Mexico. It features bright red tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds and has a large underground storage root. This plant thrives in hot, dry conditions and is known for its medicinal uses by Native American people.
Vicia faba
Vicia faba, commonly known as the fava bean, is a versatile plant used both as a cover crop and for human consumption. It is known for its high nitrogen-fixing ability and large, deep roots that improve soil structure. The plant is exceptionally cold-tolerant, able to withstand temperatures as low as 10°F, and grows best in cool conditions. Fava beans produce beautiful white and black flowers that attract pollinators, and the young pods can be eaten like snap beans. However, individuals with G6PD deficiency should avoid handling the seeds or consuming the beans due to potential health risks.
Lupinus polyphyllus
Lupinus polyphyllus is a perennial herbaceous plant native to western North America, known for its tall spikes of colorful flowers. It is a short-lived perennial in USDA zones 4-7 but can be grown as an annual in warmer climates. The plant is attractive to bumblebees and is used in gardens for its nitrogen-fixing abilities. However, it can become invasive and is toxic to livestock. Its vibrant blooms and ability to withstand frost make it a popular choice for gardeners.
Phaseolus vulgaris 'Contender'
Phaseolus vulgaris 'Contender' is a stringless bean variety that produces in 50 days from sowing. It tolerates heat and powdery mildew, making it a reliable choice for gardeners. This disease-resistant bean is known for its quick production and resilience in various growing conditions.
Wisteria frutescens ssp. macrostachya
Wisteria frutescens ssp. macrostachya is a twining vine known for its fragrant violet blooms and dark green foliage. Originating from China, it blooms in late spring and can grow up to 30 feet long. This vine requires a sunny, well-drained location and support for vertical growth, making it a stunning addition to any garden.
Baptisia alba var. alba
Baptisia alba var. alba, a southern form of white baptisia, is known for its large blackened, drooping seed pods and blue-green foliage. It forms a 3-foot tall and wide mound, topped with 1-2 foot tall spikes of pure white flowers in late spring. This plant is deer-resistant and forms a full-figured, upright clump up to 4 feet tall. It thrives in full sun and is a vigorous grower, making it a striking addition to gardens.
Genista sagittalis
Genista sagittalis, a prostrate broom native to central and southern Europe, Ukraine, and Anatolia, is known for its clusters of small yellow flowers. It thrives in open, rocky fields and full sun rock gardens. The subspecies Genista sagittalis subsp. delphinensis has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, highlighting its ornamental value.