Charles Vancouver Piper (1926) divided the American Phaseoleae into eight sections with 92 species, a system recognized by Urban (1928), Morton (1944), and several others.Verdcourt (1970) re defined the genus Phaseolus and other similar genera Macroptilium, Ramirezella, and separated the genus Cowpea (Vigna).Marechal (1978a, b; 1981) further clarified the differences between the genera Caulifera and Cowpea, and Lackey (1983) endorsed this narrower more defined range of the genus Caulifera. Delgado (1985) further defined the classification of the genus Cauliflower Bean, which is divided into four sections of 36 species.

There are currently five bean species of the genus Cauliflower Bean cultivated in the world, namely, the common bean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.), the multiflora bean (Phaseolus coccineusL.), the lima bean (Phaseolus lunatusL.), the broad-leaved bean (Phaseolus acutifoliusA .Gray.) and bush bean (Phaseolus polyanthusGreenman). Their taxonomic main features and differences are shown in Table 10-8.

Table 10-8 Classification table of the genus Phaseolus

Bean species scientific name difference traits common bean Phaseolusvulgaris L. Cotyledons out of the soil; dwarf erect, semi-trailing, trailing; leaf surface leaf back are green; grain color is very rich, there are white, black, yellow, grey, brown, patterned (spot), etc.; 100 grains weight 20 ～Phaseoluscoccineus L. Cotyledons do not come out of the ground; mostly trailing type; leaf surface is green and the back of the leaf is gray-green; grain color is relatively single, mainly white, black and purple patterns (spots), etc.; large seeds, 100 grains weighing more than 100g of lima beans Phaseoluslunatus L. Cotyledons come out of the ground; mostly trailing type; leaf surface and the back of the leaf are mostly gray-green, and some varieties have obvious white stripes. varieties have obvious white stripes, and then gradually disappeared; grain color is richer, the most important feature that distinguishes it from other bean species is that there are obvious rays from the seed umbilicus to the surrounding area; one hundred grains weighing 40 to 140g broadleaf kidney beans Phaseolusacutifolius A. Gray. grain color to white, yellow and brown varieties of spots predominate; early maturity, heat and drought resistance; protein content is lower than the ordinary kidney beans ( Detailed information is not yet available) bush bean Phaseoluspolyanthus Greenman Botanical traits similar to multiflora bean, the two are sometimes mixed, but the cotyledons out of the soil. Domestic and foreign cultivation is rare.