Legumes (/ ˈlɛɡjuːm, ləˈɡjuːm /) are plants in the pea family Fabaceae (or Leguminosae), or the fruit or seeds of such plants. When used as a dry grain for human consumption, the seeds are also called pulses.

Mar 28, 2025 · legume, fruit of plants in the pea family (Fabaceae). Most legumes are dehiscent fruits that release their seeds by splitting open along two seams, though some, such as peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) and carobs (Ceratonia siliqua), do not naturally open.

For example, a pea pod is a legume, but the pea inside the pod is the pulse. The entire legume plant is often used in agricultural applications (as cover crops or in livestock feed or fertilizers), while the seeds or pulses are what typically end up on our dinner plates.

May 18, 2021 · Legume pods easily break into two equal hemispheres, but not all legumes produce pods. Some, such as clover and alfalfa, are edible forage for cattle and other herbivores. Legume pods are high in protein and have a low glycemic index. They substitute for animal fats in vegetarian diets and have low fat properties.

The category "Podded vegetables" includes legumes of which the fruit (a pod) is used as food. It includes two type of podded vegetables; those that are shelled before eating (e.g. garden peas), and those that are cooked and eaten whole (e.g. yard-long beans).

Oct 10, 2024 · Legumes are a diverse group of plants that are cultivated for their edible seeds or pods, which can be consumed in various forms, including fresh green vegetables, green shelled seeds, or dry seeds. The term “pulses” specifically refers to the dry seeds of these plants.

Legume pods split along both sides when ripe. Each pod contains from 4 to 12 seeds. Seeds are usually kidney-shaped and vary in size. Seeds can be green, brown, black, red, yellow, white, or mottled. Legumes are high in protein and contain vitamin …

Jun 11, 2022 · They are characterized by having a legume-type of fruit (also referred to as pod) and compound, stipulate leaves. Many of them form root nodules where nitrogen-fixing bacteria reside.

Basically, a legume is any plant that bears its fruit inside a pod. Learning what legumes are and how to identify them can give you a number of options for adding protein and variety to your meals.

The legume pod is a one-celled seed container formed by two sealed parts called valves. Legume pods always split along the seam which connects the two valves. This characteristic is called dehiscent, from the Latin word meaning to gape or burst open (Earle 5). However, not all pods are shaped the same.