Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) is an annual herbaceous plant of the Fabaceae family. The leaves grow alternately on stems, are green or purple in color, and are divided into three oval leaflets with smooth edges. Leaves can grow 6-15 cm in length and 3-11 cm in width. The common bean produces white, pink, lilac or purple flowers that are about 1 cm in diameter, and bean pods 8-20 cm long that can range from green to yellow, black, or purple. Each pod contains 4-6 smooth, kidney-shaped beans. The bean is an annual plant and lasts only one growing season; it varies greatly in size from bushy varieties, 20-60 cm tall, to climbing beans, which can reach 2-3 m tall.