gary,
uncle steve bean seeds are a light tan with purple whorls on it, about the size of a pinto bean. i often get a few seeds that are half purple or nearly all purple. not sure if that is a cross or just individual variation. the bean pod should be flat, green, with dark purple whorls on it with a curve, similar to a sickle shape. there are usually 5 to 7 seeds per pod. vines are typical pole bean in appearance, and can grow past 10 ft. i don't know if they every stop growing until frost kills them. blossoms are purple. pick the bean before the pod begins to swell very much or else it will be tough. if you get anything different then that, i would suspect a cross.
i have always eaten it as a snap bean. i 've munched them raw. i have been told its good as a dry bean, and so-so as a shelly.
it freezes well, but not a good canner.
keith
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