Strophostyles helvola, commonly known as amberique-bean, annual sand bean, or trailing fuzzybean, is a leguminous vine native to coastal plains, open woodlands, and sandy soils of eastern North America, including eastern Canada and the eastern United States. As an annual or short-lived perennial herb, it can grow up to 10 feet long, with stems, leaves, and pods covered in light pubescence. The trifoliate leaves may display three lobes, and during the summer months, it produces distinctive pea-like flowers. These blossoms are pink-purple with a uniquely curved keel petal, making them quite showy. The fruit is a cylindrical pod that houses shiny black seeds with hairy coats, which aid in water dispersal.

The amberique-bean is valued for its adaptability to poor soils and its ability to stabilize sandy areas, making it useful for erosion control. It is also appreciated for its ornamental flowers and can be used in naturalized plantings or as a ground cover in appropriate regions. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to part shade and is tolerant of drought once established, thriving in sandy, well-drained soils. While not commonly grown in gardens, its historical use by Native American peoples for medicinal purposes and as a food source adds to its cultural significance. Potential problems include susceptibility to common bean pests and diseases, but these are generally not severe in wild populations.CC BY-SA 4.0