Phaseolus vulgaris

The Black Shackamaxon Bean is an extraordinarily beautiful bean that looks like shiny black patent leather jewels. It also has a rich history. Sometimes known as 'Treaty Beans', as oral tradition claims they were gifted by the Lenape tribe to William Penn during the 1682 treaty negotiations in Philadelphia. The treaty was orchestrated under an elm tree in what is now the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia, but at the time, it was a Lenape village called Shackamaxon. The beans were then passed down through generations of Penn's family, as well as other neighboring Quaker families. It is said to have been added to a dish called 'black mush' which was a porridge made with blue cornmeal.

Highly productive, with pods ripening to a deep burgundy. An excellent bean to grow with corn or sunflowers, as the vines are lighter weight with fewer leaves and won't shade or pull down other plants.

80 days to dry beans

Pole habit