Leguminosae Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) D. C.
Source: Magness et al. 1971
The Goa bean is an annual plant with entire ovate leaves 3 to 6 inches long, on weak, vining stems. It produces a large, tuberous root which is eaten both cooked and raw in the Orient. The pods are 6 to 9 inches long and 1 inch broad, and when young are cooked and eaten like green beans. Growth habit and exposure for the pods are like pole beans as grown in the U.S. Root production is entirely underground. Goa beans are not grown commercially in the U.S., but might be found in gardens of oriental vegetables.