Someone asked me if Scarlet Runner beans could be eaten.

I remember my Mom growing them when I was little, & telling me that they were just "for looks"... not for eating.

from:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MV023

Bean, Scarlet Runner -- Phaseolus coccineus L.

I've eaten both the green beans and the shelled beans of scarlet runner. The green beans are best when fairly young. They get really, really stringy later on.

I eat the pods fresh steamed. They have a sweet crunchiness that is really very good, and somewhat under-rated by many gardeners, IMO.

The plants are attractive and hardy, with nicely colored flowers and bold green foliage. They attract bees and hummers too! Is there anything this plant can't do?

Thanks for the replies, everyone! I don't know why my Mom said they weren't for eating... I'd always been under the impression that they were poison or something!
Fold laundry? I'm still looking for something that'll do that... I don't even care if it's a plant, except it would be better if it were one that could winterover!

here's some info about the scarlet runner beans