Mexican, Black

Half-runner bean with weak to moderate climbing habit, best eaten dry. Not all of the plants manage to climb, and those that do not climb very high. The plants are very bush at the base, where most pods grow. The dry beans are small to midsize black ovals. They have a nice, sweet flavor, and a good texture. Pods contain 6 seeds and are 4.5" long. They are slightly curved, relatively small, and green. When they are mature, they are yellow with a faint purple blush. The plants have purple flowers. During the 2021 planting at Heritage Farm, this variety had low productivity. It is early to mid-season maturing. Acquired by SSE from the Abundant Life Seed Foundation (CV Abu), likely in the early 1980s. CV Abu described it as being an heirloom from Central and South American which has been used in Black Turtle Soup for over 150 years. SSE Accession # 102668