Did someone by the name of Jack give them to you?

Odds are, it is not a pole bean. (P. vulgaris) At least I don't know of one that matches that description. Possibilities include runner beans (P. cocineus) which are edible tho mostly used as ornamentals. Hyacinth bean (Dolichos lablab). Jack Bean (Canavalia ensiformis). Sword bean (Canavalia gladiata)

Here is a link that might be useful: hyacinth bean

I remember a similar question coming up somewhere on GW last year, but haven't been able to find it.

Farmerdilla is on the right track. What you most likely have is the Sword Bean, which is red seeded. The seeds are considered to be poisonous, although there are reports of them being eaten immature.

Personally, I wouldn't grow them, except as a curiousity. They require a long, warm growing season (and are most likely daylength-sensitive, in which case they would not bloom until September). There are so many wonderful limas that would thrive under those conditions!

HERE is another thread about this.... maybe the one zeedman is referring to?

Probably not a Hyacinth Bean, they are black and white in color. When they bloom it's a beautiful purple flower, beautiful to look at but not to eat. Oddly enough the old-timers call the Hyacinth the Jack in the Bean Stock Plant.

Mary Ann

From the discussions in above postings I beleive it is Cavalia gladiata (sword bean) which I have seen growing on the fences in the wild in India. Tender leaves and pods were used as fodder for the animals.There is a picture of the pod on
www.davesgarden.com/pf/showimage/131910/.