PLANT PROFILE

Strophostyles¬Ýhelvola
trailing wild-bean


Strophostyles helvula leaflet

Strophostyles helvula leaflet

Note the variation in leaflets
Strophostyles helvula

Strophostyles helvula fruit

Photos Courtesy Renee Brecht
Line drawing, Britton & Brown
Botanical name: Strophostyles¬Ýhelvola
Common name: trailing wild-bean
Group: dicot
Family: Fabaceae
Growth type: forb/herb
Duration: annual
Origin: native
Plant height: 1 - 3'
Foliage: leaflets of three, with variability in shape, stem slightly fuzzy
Flower: June - October
Flowering time: pale pink pea like flower, 3/8"-1/2" 
Habitat: thickets, dry roadsides
Range in New Jersey: statewide
Heritage ranking, if any: n/a
Distribution:
Misc.: Trailing bean was used for various medicinal uses by Native American tribes, as well as for food and coffee.
Bobwhites, quails, and turkeys feed on the seeds.
For more information, see the USDA