Phaseolus Acutifolius, Tepary Bean

Flowers of phaseolus acutifolius may be colored pink, white or purple; pale pink is most common. They are borne in small numbers (typically two or three) on stalks from the leaf nodes. The banner petal is the largest; it has a notch at the top and its edges are slightly curved inwards. The two wing petals are angled outwards and downwards, separated by the twisted keel petals, colored white to green. The green seed pods are up to three inches long and less than half an inch wide, lightly hairy, and contain five or six beans.

Stem and leaves are generally hairless, but may have a fine covering of very short hairs. Leaves are divided into three leaflets; one terminal, and an opposite pair just below. Leaflets are widest below the middle; broadly or narrowly lanceolate in shape, with a smooth, shiny surface and crossed by several prominent veins. Stems are usually prostrate, or climbing, but can sometimes grow upwards, unsupported. Var tenuifolius, one of three varieties, has longer, narrower leaves, almost linear in outline.