Common (or navy) beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) originated in the Americas and were domesticated more than 7000 years ago. Common beans are grown as vegetables (French beans, green beans, etc.) or as pulse crops for the canning (baked beans) and edible dry bean trade. Therefore the visual appearance of the final product is of vital interest to the buyer. They are not a major crop in Australia. The majority of the crop is grown in Queensland and northern New South Wales.