Aaap Bean is a wild tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius) with roots deep in indigenous Mexican agriculture and seed conservation. Originally collected on Tiburon Island off the coast of Sonora, Mexico, this small black bean was traditionally harvested by the Seri Indians and represents a living connection to pre-industrial agricultural practices. As a vining variety hardy in zones 9-11, it offers gardeners a chance to explore the smaller, wilder ancestors of domesticated teparies, though it demands patience and care in germination. This is a plant for the curious grower who values agricultural history as much as harvest.
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Low
9-11
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Moderate
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The Tiburon Island Wild Tepary carries genuine cultural and ecological significance, having been traditionally gathered by the Seri Indians for generations. Smaller and considerably more challenging to germinate than its domesticated cousins, it appeals to gardeners interested in seed saving, crop diversity, and connecting with agricultural heritage. Growing this variety is as much an act of plant conservation as it is cultivation.
As an edible bean, the Tiburon Island Wild Tepary can be prepared like other dried beans, though its small size and challenging germination suggest it appeals more to gardeners interested in preserving agricultural diversity than to those seeking maximum yield. Its true use today is as a living archive of indigenous farming and wild crop genetics.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Scarify seeds by lightly sanding the seed coat before sowing to improve germination rates. Plant directly into warm soil after all danger of frost has passed in zones 9-11.
Harvest pods when they are fully mature and dry on the vine. The small black beans should be hard and fully dried before picking. Shell the pods and store the dried beans.
As a vining bean, guide the stems onto your trellis or support structure as they grow. Minimal pruning is needed; focus on training the vines rather than cutting back.
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“This wild black tepary bean was collected on Tiburon Island, a remote location in the Sea of Cortez off the coast of Sonora, Mexico. For generations, it was traditionally harvested by the Seri Indians as a food source. Today, the variety is preserved and distributed by Native Seeds/SEARCH through their Seed-Bank, an effort dedicated to maintaining indigenous crop diversity and agricultural heritage in the American Southwest. The bean represents a snapshot of wild Phaseolus acutifolius before domestication reshaped the species into larger, more vigorous forms.”