Amberique Bean, Annual Wild Bean, Sand Bean, Wild Bean, Trailing Fuzzy Bean

Strophostyles helvola

stro-foh-STY-leez  HEL-vol-a

Synonyms of Strophostyles helvola (25) (Updated on 12-25-22 from Plants of the World Online): Cajanus helvolus (L.) Spreng. (1826), Dolichos angulosus DC. (1825), Dolichos helvolus (L.) Nutt. (1818), Dolichos parabolicus Nutt. (1818), Dolichos vexillatus Nutt. (1818), Glycine angulosa Muhl. ex Willd. (1802), Glycine helvola (L.) Elliott (1818), Glycine peduncularis Muhl. (1813), Glycine peduncularis var. parabolica Muhl. ex W.P.C.Barton (1815), Glycine pedunculosa Raf. (1808), Glycine virginica Spreng. (1801), Phaseolus angulosus Ortega (1797), Phaseolus diversifolius Pers. (1807), Phaseolus helvolus L. (1753), Phaseolus helvolus var. missouriensis (S.Watson) Britton (1894), Phaseolus parabolicus Nutt. ex W.P.C.Barton (1818), Phaseolus peduncularis W.P.C.Barton (1818)(nom. superfl.), Phaseolus peduncularis var. parabolica (Muhl. ex W.P.C.Barton) W.P.C.Barton (1818), Phaseolus trilobus Michx. (1803)(nom. illeg.), Phaseolus vexillatus Walter (1788)(nom. illeg.), Strophostyles angulosa Elliott (1823), Strophostyles angulosa var. missouriensis S.Watson (1890), Strophostyles helvola var. missouriensis (S.Watson) Britton (1897), Strophostyles peduncularis Elliott (1823)

Strophostyles helvola (L.) Elliott is the accepted scientific name for this species. The genus and species were named and described as such by Stephen Elliott in the second volume of A Sketch of the Botany in South Carolina and Georgia in 1824. It was first named and described as Phaseolus helvolus by Carl von Linnaeus in the second volume of the first edition of Species Plantarum in 1753.

As of 12-25-22 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online lists 3 species in the Strophostyles genus. It is a member of the plant family Fabaceae with 780 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO. 

The above distribution map for Strophostyles helvola is from the USDA Plants Database. Areas in green show where the species is native. The map on Plants of the World Online isn’t up to date. POWO gets their maps for North America from Flora of North America but that site doesn’t include the plant family Fabaceae yet. FNA will be releasing their information on the Fabaceae family very soon then POWO will update their maps. 

The map on iNaturalist shows where members have made observations. Anyone can join and it is a great website to confirm and share your observations. The maps on iNaturalist are continually updated as members post new observations.

THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING AND FOR A BETTER POSITIVE ID.

I first noticed this interesting bean growing in the fence row along the front pasture on August 2 in 2019. I took A LOT of photos but the ones of the flowers were blurry so I went back on the next day to try again. I submitted photos on iNaturalist and the name Strophostyles helvola was suggested. I checked the page on Missouri Plants and the name checked out. Plants of the World Online lists three species in the genus and Missouri Plants says they are all found in Missouri…

I apologize for not writing descriptions at the moment, but I have A LOT of wildflower pages to make and publish before I start getting too busy. I update this site and add new pages over the winter but I didn’t get finished. SO, I decided to just make the page with photos and links to other sites for better plant ID. I will be taking more photos over the summer and posting but I will also be working on these pages as I have time.

The leaves can be somewhat variable… I am beginning to dislike that word…

 

This photo is somewhat blurry. Maybe my left hand was shaking somewhat… Practice makes perfect.

 

<<<<2020>>>>

 

<<<<2022>>>>

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will get the descriptions written soon.

I have enjoyed photographing and learning about the many wildflowers growing on the family farm and in other areas. The farm is in Windsor, Missouri in Pettis County (Henry County is across the street and Benton and Johnson aren’t far away). I have grown over 500 different plants and identified over 250 species of wildflowers (most have pages listed on the right side of the page). I am not an expert, botanist, or horticulturalist. I just like growing, photographing, and writing about my experience. I rely on several websites for ID and a few horticulturalists I contact if I cannot figure them out. Wildflowers can be somewhat variable from location to location, so sometimes it gets a bit confusing. If you see I have made an error, please let me know so I can correct what I have written.

I hope you found this page useful and be sure to check the links below for more information. They were written by experts and provide much more information. Some sites may not be up-to-date but they are always a work in progress. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would click on the “Like” below and leave a comment. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. You can also send an email to me at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com. I would enjoy hearing from you especially if you notice something is a bit whacky.

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
INTERNATIONAL PLANT NAMES INDEX (GENUS/SPECIES)
TROPICOS (GENUS/SPECIES)
WORLD FLORA ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
USDA PLANTS DATABASE
USDA PLANT GUIDE
DAVE’S GARDEN
MISSOURI PLANTS
iNATURALIST
WILDFLOWER SEARCH
ILLINOIS WILDFLOWERS
MINNESOTA WILDFLOWERS
KANSAS WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES
GO BOTANY
LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER
FRIENDS OF THE WILDFLOWER GARDEN
MARYLAND BIODIVERSITY PROJECT
CLIMBERS-UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

NOTE: The data (figures, maps, accepted names, etc.) may not match on these websites. It depends on when and how they make updates and when their sources make updates. Some websites have hundreds and even many thousands of species to keep up with. Accepted scientific names change periodically and it can be hard to keep with as well. Some of the links may use a name that is a synonym on other sites. In my opinion, Plants of the World Online by Kew is the most reliable and up-to-date plant database and they make updates on a regular basis. I make updates “at least” once a year and when I write new pages or add new photos but I do get behind. We are all a work in progress. 🙂