I'm wondering whether anyone is familiar with the bean pictured below. The information I have is that it's a Filipino bean called something like: "batow". I did find this page with reference to a Filipino bean called "batau" or "bataw" -- but the picture doesn't match. I guess the most important thing is to find out whether it would cross with either my common beans or with my limas? If so, then I'll need to be careful to grow them apart.
Gene, the bean in the photo is Hyacinth Bean (Dolichos lablab) a.k.a. "bataw". It is a very rampant, climbing vine with fragrant, attractive flowers. There are several different varieties, which is why the Filipino photo doesn't match.
It will not cross with any bean commonly grown in the U.S.
If you are considering growing them for food, be aware that some parts are toxic, unless picked & prepared properly. The flat, immature pods are most commonly eaten; they taste much like snap beans (purple or red-podded varieties are best for this). Filipinos cook the seeds also, but you would want to learn from them the techniques used to remove toxicity.
The beans themselves, in the picture, look very much like the Hyacinth pole beans that I have. BUT the pods of mine are muche wider and shrink when dried. The young beans are purple and flat, about 2" long, 3/4" wide. The plant starts blooming from late June and continue almost till frost. As of this post (Nov. 1st) mine are still have flowers. This is the prettiest and the most productive bean I have known. It is not just "bean" it is also a pretty flowering vine.
