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What is a legume?

A legume is any of the thousands of plant species in the legume family, Leguminosae. Legumes have seed pods that, when ripe, split along both sides. The legume family is the third largest among flowering plants. It is also the second most important to the human diet (grasses are first).

Beans, lentils, peanuts, peas, and soybeans are some of the common legumes consumed by humans. Legume seeds have twice as much protein as grains. Legumes are also high in iron and B vitamins. Some legumes, such as clover and alfalfa, are used as animal feed.

Legume type	Date of domestication	Place of domestication
Broad bean	3000 B.C.	Near East
Chick pea	5000 B.C.	Near East
Common bean	6000 B.C.	Central and...

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