Bean experts! What's a landrace?

[Birdie Wife]

I was having a browse through a heritage bean catalogue and came across this term. I didn't find much useful information through a quick Google so I thought I'd ask you lot! So, anyone know?

[Alice]

Hello Birdie Wife. Landrace refers to domesticated animals or plants. Have a look Here

[Flummery]

Seems to mean a traditional variety but not one that's been bred specially - more one that's selected for its suitablility to the area. That's more or less what many of us produce when we grow on our best home-saved seeds. It's still the original variety but we've selected it so mine will not be exactly the same as yours.

[Birdie Wife]

Wikipedia! Why didn't I think of that

Are they likely to be hardier then, if they're grown to a local climate, without the business of producing extra-sweet peas/different coloured flowers/etc etc?

[Flummery]

I'd think they are hardier in their own neighbourhood as they'll have been selected to do well there. They won't necessarily be if taken elsewhere. For example, if I grow on my own strain of bean for several years then send some to you in a seed swap they may not do quite so well for you as they do for me.

[Snadger]

An area specific improved strain then?

Which would make it an AS-IS!(Smiley!)