ECHO - Plants Adapted to Difficult Conditions - Incredibly drought-resistant tepary beans (Phaseolus acutifolius)

ECHO > Plants Adapted to Difficult Conditions

ECHO Development Notes 100

ECHO Publications

Incredibly drought-resistant tepary beans (Phaseolus acutifolius)

These beans are an important crop for American Indians in the arid southwest part of the USA. If seeds are planted at a time when the soil is moist, plants grow quickly and will produce well even if there is no rain after they bloom. Because tepary bean is adapted to very arid conditions only, it is not suited to climates with high humidity and frequent rains, where diseases harm or kill the vines. Drought-resistance is mentioned in AZ 89.