Amberique Bean

The Amberique Bean, scientifically known as Strophostyles helvola, is a species of flowering plant in the legume family. It is also commonly referred to as the annual sand bean or trailing fuzzybean. This plant is native to eastern Canada and the eastern United States. It is an unusual annual vine that can grow up to about 8 feet tall, with small, white to pink flowers that mature into slender pods filled with fuzzy, pink-tinged seeds. The plant can trail along the ground if there is no trellis or taller companion close by, but given support, it can grow into a twining vine. It is worth considering for a garden focusing on native plants. The species can self-sow freely if the drying pods are not removed before they pop open. The plant has been fantastically successful in dispersing its seeds along the world's major aquatic routes due to the hairiness of its seeds, which allows it to float unusually well in water