Bayshore/ Trailing Wild Bean

COMMON NAME: Trailing Wild Bean

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Beach Bean, Dune Bean, Woolly Bean

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Strophostyles helvola

FAMILY: Fabaceae

COMMUNITY: Bayshore

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Annual

HEIGHT: 3 feet

FLOWERING TIME: July to late September

FRUITING TIME: Late August to late October

DISTRIBUTION: Quebec to Florida and west to Texas ~ Throughout coastal plain outside the central Pine Barrens in NJ ~ Grows in dry sandy soil

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Twining vine to 10.5 feet long ~ Leaves on opposite side of stem in group of 3, each leaf is divided into 3 leaflets ~ Flowers pink-purple, in head-like cluster of a few to several flowers ~ Fruit (legume) resembles a garden bean

GENERAL INFORMATION: This family (Fabaceae) commonly called the Pea or Bean Family consists of 459 genera and 14,400 species of herbs, shrubs, vines and trees found in temperate, cold and tropical regions.  The family is of major economic importance, providing edible beans and peas for animals, ornamentals, and dyes. The fruit pod of Trailing Wild Bean resembles a garden bean thus the common name Wild Bean. When the seeds are released from the pods, they are eaten by birds and rodents.  Trailing Wild Bean has some sand binding capacity and thus helps prevent erosion.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.