Phaseolus

Phaseolus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Fabales Family: Fabaceae Subfamily: Faboideae Genus: Phaseolus
Species
(examples) Phaseolus vulgaris Common bean Phaseolus lunatus Lima bean Phaseolus coccineus Runner bean Phaseolus acutifolius Tepary bean

Phaseolus is the genus to which the common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris belongs. The genus Phaseolus contains 55 species, 5 of which have been domesticated. All Phaseolus species originate in Meso America and have been cultivated for thousands of years by pre-Columbian civilizations.

Today, Phaseolus species are cultivated worldwide in both tropical, semi tropical and temperate climates.

Previous classifications placed in this genus a number of other well known species that have now been removed to genus Vigna, sometimes necessitating a change of species name. For example, older literature refers to the Mung bean as Phaseolus aureus, whereas more modern sources classify it as Vigna radiata.