Scientific Name
Phaseolus lunatus
Common Name
Java bean, lima bean

HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!

Characteristics

Family
Fabaceae
Plant Description
These plump, colored beans can be distinguished from the common lima bean or navy bean by distinct lines radiating from the scar at the center of the inner curved side.
Origin
Tropics.
Where Found
Landscape cultivated as an ornamental.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
Raw beans (seeds) and roots of ornamental varieties.
Symptoms
These proteins have antinutritional effects, suppressing growth, and may be fatal.
Edibility
EDIBLE PARTS: Toxicity is only partially destroyed by cooking; therefore do not cook the ornamental, striped beans grown for the flowers and foliage.
Toxic Principle
Hemagglutinins or lectins.
Severity
HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

Previous Species, Home, Next Species