Interesting facts about lima beans, Phaseolus lunatus:
Ancient history:
Lima beans have a long history of cultivation, dating back to around 2000 BC in the Andes. They may have even been one of the first domesticated plants!
Double domestication:
Believe it or not, there are actually two distinct gene pools for lima beans, suggesting they were domesticated independently in different regions. The larger-seeded type comes from the Andes, while the smaller-seeded type originated in Mesoamerica.
Name game:
Despite their name, lima beans don't actually come from the city of Lima, Peru. The origin of the name is a bit of a mystery, but it's thought to be a corruption of an indigenous term.
Size matters:
Lima beans come in a variety of sizes, from the large and buttery "lima" types to the smaller "sieva" varieties.
More than green:
While green is the most common color, lima beans can also be found in shades of white, yellow, and even purple.
Nitrogen fixers:
Like other legumes, lima bean plants are nitrogen fixers. This means they capture nitrogen from the air and convert it into a usable form for themselves and other plants nearby, improving soil quality.
