Macroptilium lathyroides aka Phasemy Bean

Macroptilium lathyroides is a bean-family plant called wild bushbean or phasey bean. Its native range spans tropical and subtropical parts of the Americas. It grows as an annual or a short-lived perennial. Wild plants occur in fields, pastures, and beside roads. They also grow near streams and rivers, and around homes. The species occurs in both wet and dry sites.

Plants reach about 3.3–4.9 feet [1–1.5 metres] tall. Their form varies with the place where they grow. Some stand upright and branch, while others trail along the ground. In shade, stems may twine through nearby plants. Bees pollinate the flowers, and the plant can also pollinate itself. The narrow pods hold up to 20 seeds, sometimes 30. The seeds are oblong and about 0.01 feet [0.003 metres] long. Ripe pods split open and fling seeds several feet away.

Choose a sunny site, though the plant accepts some shade. It grows in soils ranging from sand to heavy clay. Sandy sites need a steady supply of rain. It accepts both acid and alkaline soil. Its preferred pH is 6–7, with tolerance from 5–8. The plant grows well where water drains freely. It also withstands poor drainage, waterlogged ground, and some salt. These traits help explain its presence in roadside drains. It grows across a broad range of rainfall levels.

This is a warm-climate plant that can survive light frost. Harder frost kills it, though plants often set seed first. Its reported best growth occurs with hot days and warm nights. People grow it as a cover crop and green manure. It has spread beyond cultivation and become naturalised in many places. Despite this spread, it seldom ranks as a serious weed. Its seed-scattering pods still give it a means of spreading locally.

People sometimes gather the plant from the wild for food. The documented edible part is the seed, which they cook. The source reports no known hazards; this does not prove universal safety. For sowing, hard, dry seeds may benefit from scarification. A warm-water soak can help seeds swell before planting. Seeds that remain hard may need a careful nick in the coat. Avoid cutting the embryo when treating the seed.