Haricot Des Paysannes
(Alphorn, Berner Landfrauen 1, Campagnola Bernese 1, Cor des Alpes (QC PA R, 2024), [Used In France] Crochu de Savoie [English: Hook of Savoie] (QC PA R, 2024), Des Paysannes, Haricot Des Paysannes [English: Peasant Bean], Paysannes)
(Pole) Old variety of Switzerland, native to the Canton of Bern. According to ProSpecieRara, this variety is an improvement of the varieties ‘Escargot’ and ‘Grandson’. 1 It has been long cultivated in Switzerland (emerged in the 1930s, marketed since 1941), where “It [first] appeared in Bern in the 1930s as a selection, allegedly carried out by a farmer’s wife”. (P. Holzherr, ProSpecieRara, 2025) Historical cultivation is additionally attributed to the Aosta Valley and the valley of Savoy. 1, 4
“[…] Samen Mauser modified the variety, which has been available on our markets since 1941, in the 1970s due to severe virus contamination. Crossbreeding with some bush beans that were already virus-resistant at the time, and subsequent backcrossing, resulted in the varieties Selma Star, Selma Zebra, and an improved Bernese Landfrauen. […]” (P. Holzherr, ProSpecieRara, 2025)
The green pods are streaked with purple and emulate a hazelnut taste. 1 This variety is late maturing, however it is noted for being earlier than Crochet de Savoie. 2, 3, 4
Days to Maturity: 90 days
Origin
Grown in Switzerland, where it has long been cultivated, under the name of Berner Landfrauen. Cultivation of the Haricot des Paysannes is also attributed to the Aosta Valley [French: Vallée d’Aoste, Italian: Valle d’Aosta] and the valley of Savoy regions. 1, 4
“Ancienne variété tardive des années 30, commercialisée depuis 1941. Amélioration des variétés ‘Escargot’ et ‘Grandson’. Longues cosses sans fil, marbrées de violet. Excellente variété, très productive. Synonyme ‘Cor des Alpes’.” (ProSpecieRara, 2025) 1
[English] “Old late variety from the 1930s, marketed since 1941. Improvement of the varieties ‘Escargot’ and ‘Grandson’. Long stringless pods, marbled with purple. Excellent variety, very productive. Synonym ‘Cor des Alpes’.” (ProSpecieRara, 2025) 1
“Information aus der ProSpecieRara-Datenbank zur Berner Landfrauen:
2001 im Handel bezogen. Bei Samen Mauser in verschiedenen Sortimenten erhältlich. Die Sorte wird aber nur noch für den Hobbymarkt vermehrt. Sie genügt den Ansprüchen an Gesundheit nicht mehr. Sie erschien in den 30er Jahren im Bernischen als Auslese, die eine Bäuerin vorgenommen haben soll, ein Beispiel also, wie Sorten ihren Ursprung in Gärten haben. Die Sorte wurde von Dr. F. Kobel, 1941 als Ersatz für die ‘Späte Schneggli’ vorgeschlagen, als deren Abkömmling sie gilt (Selektion). Samen Mauser hat die seit 1941 auf unseren Märkten zu findende Sorte in den 70er-Jahren wegen starker Virusverseuchung bearbeitet. Aus der Einkreuzung mit einigen damals schon virusresistenten Buschbohnen und anschliessenden Rückkreuzungen entstanden die Sorten Selma Star, Selma Zebra und eine verbesserte Berner Landfrauen. Synonyme sind ‘Alphorn’ und entsprechend ‘cor des alpes’.” (P. Holzherr, ProSpecieRara, 2025)
[English] “Information from the ProSpecieRara database on the Bernese Landfrauen (Berner Landfrauen):
Purchased in 2001. Available in various assortments from Samen Mauser. However, this variety is now only propagated for the hobby market. It no longer meets health requirements. It appeared in Bern in the 1930s as a selection, allegedly carried out by a farmer’s wife, thus providing an example of how varieties originate in gardens. The variety was proposed by Dr. F. Kobel in 1941 as a replacement for ‘Späte Schneggli,’ of which it is considered a descendant (selection). Samen Mauser modified the variety, which has been available on our markets since 1941, in the 1970s due to severe virus contamination. Crossbreeding with some bush beans that were already virus-resistant at the time, and subsequent backcrossing, resulted in the varieties Selma Star, Selma Zebra, and an improved Bernese Landfrauen. Synonyms are ‘Alphorn’ and, accordingly, ‘cor des alpes’.” (P. Holzherr, ProSpecieRara, 2025)
“Spät; aus dem Kanton Bern stammend; Wuchs buschig; Hülsen ziemlich lang, leicht sichelförmig, sehr zart und fadenlos; sehr ertragreich; Samen mittelgross, violett gestreift; für eine Stange genügen 8 Samen. Für raue Lagen nicht geeignet.” (Historische Nutzpflanzendatenbank, eg, 2006)
[English] “Late; native to the Canton of Bern; bushy growth; pods fairly long, slightly sickle-shaped, very tender and stringless; very productive; seeds medium-sized, purple-striped; 8 seeds are sufficient for one stalk. Not suitable for harsh conditions.” (Historische Nutzpflanzendatenbank, eg, 2006)