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Legume

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A legume is a simple dry fruit which develops from a simple carpel and usually dehisces (opens along a seam) on two sides. A common name for this type of fruit is a “pod”, although pod is also applied to a few other fruit types. A peanut is not a nut in the botanical sense; a peanut is an indehiscent legume, that is, one whose pod does not split open on its own.

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Varieties of soybean seeds, a popular legume
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Pea pods

The term is derived from the French word “légume” which, however, has a wider meaning and refers to any kind of vegetable; the English word legume being translated in French by the word légumineuse.

Legumes are a good source of iron and fiber.

See also

See also

References

References

External links
  • AEP – European association for grain legume research
  • Lupins – Geography, classification, genetic resources and breeding
  • ILDIS – International Legume Database & Information Service
  • Legume classes from LegumeChef.com


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