Lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus) are large, flat, kidney-shaped seeds that are part of the legume family. 

ima bean. The lima bean Phaseolus lunatus (Fabaceae) is a herbaceous bush, 30–90 cm in height, or a twining vine 2–4 m long with trifoliate leaves, white or violet flowers, and pods of 5–12 cm containing two to four seeds. The lima bean is a grain legume of Andean and Mesoamerican origin.