Wild Pigeon Bean

Thought to be of Iroquois Indian origin, this variety was collected in 1916 by Canadian anthropologist FW Waugh in Ontario, Canada. The donor, William Woys Weaver, notes that the name refers to the bean’s colour: grey and speckled like a wild pigeon. Known in North America as a 'cut-short bean' or semi-pole bean, referring to the runner (around 1m high) it sends out, on which the pods are produced. Used traditionally as a dried bean.