Phaseolus vulgaris agglutinin is the name ascribed to a family of lectins, each of which consists of four subunits. There are two different types of subunits. One appears to be involved primarily in red cell agglutination and has been designated the “E” subunit (for erythroagglutinin). The other type is involved in lymphocyte agglutination and mitogenic activity and has been termed the “L” subunit (for leucoagglutinin). These subunits combine to produce five isolectins.  PHA-L, with four "L" type subunits, does not agglutinate red cell but is a potent mitogen.

Rhodamine labeled PHA-L has an appropriate number of fluorochromes bound to provide the optimum staining characteristics for this lectin. This conjugate is supplied essentially free of unconjugated fluorochromes. The excitation maximum is at 550 nm and the emission maximum is at 575 nm.