The difference between French beans and sword beans

1. Leaf Difference

The leaves of green beans are opposite single leaves, nearly heart-shaped, with leaflets growing at the top that are broadly ovate or diamond-shaped ovate, about 4 to 16 cm long and 3 to 11 cm wide. The leaf tips are acute, the base is round or broadly cuneate, the veins on both sides are covered with soft hairs, and leaflets grow on the sides.

The leaves of sword bean are pinnate compound leaves with 3 leaflets. The leaflets are ovate, about 8 to 15 cm long and 8 to 12 cm wide. The tip of the leaves gradually becomes pointed, the base is broadly cuneate, and there are fine soft hairs on both sides of the leaves.

2. Flower Differences

The green bean has a raceme inflorescence, with flowers growing at the top of the peduncle. The bracts are oblique, and the corolla is white, yellow, lavender or purple, about 1.5 to 2 cm long.

The inflorescence of sword bean is racemose, and the corolla is white or pink. Petals broadly oval.

3. Fruit Difference

The green bean pods are linear, slightly swollen, 10 to 15 cm long, about 1 cm wide, hairless, and straight or slightly curved. 4 to 8 seeds.

The pods of sword bean are ribbon-shaped, slightly curved, 20 to 35 cm long and 4 to 6 cm wide. The seeds are oval or oblong, with red or brown seed coat.