A Young Bean from Central America
Dixie Speckled Butter Peas - Phaseolus lunatis
The Butter Pea is one of many sieva types or small seeded lima beans that are descendents from domestication of the wild ancestors of Mesoamerica – central Mexico to Costa Rica and into northern South America. The earliest archaeological evidence is from Mexico dating to at the latest 800 AD. So how can you call a bean that old, young? Relative to other bean domestications that predate maize these little guys are rather new arrivals.
The Dixie Speckled Butter Pea is one that I grow every year, since I love the flavor and growing them is the only way to get them. Besides they may be the most prolific bean in the whole garden – and a small bush form at that! You can plant them as soon as soil temperatures reach 65 F and all chance of frost is past and they will produce beans almost continuously until killed by frost. Last year they were still blooming when nipped by the first frost and kept producing beans on the lower parts of the plant. In Las Cruces you will get some blossom drop in the dry heat of June, but the rest of the season they seem immune to everything, if you keep them evenly watered.
If you think you don’t like lima beans, give these little guys a try. You might be surprised by their rich yet mild flavor.
Source of seed - Baker Creek Heirloom Seed
Information on - Bean Domestication and History
Information on - Characteristics and Requirements
Wikipedia link - Lima Beans
till next time,
Darrol Shillingburg
www.darrolshillingburg.com