Beans are rich in starch, protein and dietary fiber and are an excellent source of iron, potassium, selenium, thiamine, vitamin B6 and folate.

It has hairy and green compound leaves on its gnarled body. The butterfly-like flowers that emerge in clusters from the axils of the leaves are white, pink or purple. There are two main forms: upright bush (height 30–75 cm) and wrapping (height 1–2 m). The fruit, which can be flat, round, straight or curved, varies between 5-15 cm in length and is usually green in color.