How are butter beans generally differentiated from lima beans in some culinary contexts based on size?

Butter beans are often considered a larger variety

There is frequently ambiguity and interchangeability in how the terms 'lima bean' and 'butter bean' are used, particularly in regional cooking discussions. While for the purpose of general nutritional assessment of a legume, the differences are often negligible, some documentation suggests a delineation based on physical characteristics. Specifically, in certain contexts or cultivation practices, the butter bean is typically characterized as being a larger version or variety when compared to the standard lima bean, which belongs to the species Phaseolus lunatus. Although minor variations in texture or starchiness might exist between these specific sizes, the overarching health advantages derived from consuming either one remain consistently high due to their shared nutrient-dense nature.