The only place I've ever seen limas with that pattern before are in CIAT's seedbank database. Like this one, which isn't black but has the same pattern: link

Never seen anything like this for sale or trade in the US otherwise. So, sorry I can't help, but if you're interested in trading at any point I'd like to get my hands on some. :) I have a trade list and email on my profile.

Thanks for the info... The seeds of these plants were passed around by Filipino families here were I live but I really don't know where it originates from... Another thing that I forgot to mention is that this cultivar has tiny flowers. They almost look under developed.. Sometimes, I don't even realize the plant is setting pods.. I just find them under the leaves.. I've also seen these plants thrive in dry clay soil but I usually try not to stress my plants too much. So more recent plantings are a little pampered now... I also noticed that the bean weevils don't like these as much as the "Big Mommas" I've planted...

That bean certainly appears to be a lima, although I too have not previously seen a photo or description of anything similar. I would not be surprised if that bean turns out to be the same one shown in the CIAT photo. The CIAT photo may show the same seed after it has aged, as indicated by the lack of luster & shrunken appearance of their seed.

My exchange list was lost in the Houzz transition, and I have yet to restore it... but I too would be interested in a trade. I have a particular interest in vegetables grown by the Filipino culture, and already have quite a few, including 3 yardlong beans, 2 cowpeas, an eggplant, and a yellow mungo.

What are your observations as to DTM, compared to the other limas your grew? Some vegetables from the Philippines are adapted to the tropics, and require short days to flower (one of my Filipino yardlong beans has that trait). That would not be an issue in a nearly frost-free climate, but it might be an issue for those of us with shorter seasons.

Hi zeedman... I've been a fan of your posts and that of other individuals since my days of lurking on gardenweb and I've lurked a long time before I joined.

DTM.. I say it's similar to the "Big Mommas" which are about 80 days.. This takes in account that the cultivar isn't as flower showy as the "Big Mommas." So, I don't usually notice the appearance of the first flowers but they have pods at similar times. I'm in 10b.. Was it you that once lived in San Diego...?

I know what you mean though about plants adapted for the tropics. When I was a kid I remember growing a luffa in which we could only get three fruits out of the plant before it got too cold... This was here in socal too, before they sold edible luffas in stores... I have issues to this day growing winter melon (we call it Tan-Koy). Starting the seed is hard enough but once started, the plant will grow an grow, no flowers until mid September, and then I get a bunch of male flowers... lol It's hit and miss..

Mav72, yes, I lived & gardened in San Diego & the Bay Area in the 80's-90's. In San Diego I grew both Christmas and King of the Garden limas; the KOG's actually over-wintered a couple times. Good to know that your beans had a reasonable DTM, I hope to trial them here.

My results with luffa here were similar; flowers, but no fruit. It is not unusual for any member of the gourd family to begin flowering with male flowers only... the female flowers usually follow within a week or two.

Mav72, your PM received & answer sent.