legume

Meanings

1. The fruit or seed of leguminous plants (as peas or beans) used for food.
2. Any of a large family (Fabaceae, syn. Leguminosae) of dicotyledonous herbs, shrubs, and trees having fruits that are legumes or loments, bearing nodules on the roots that contain nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and including important food and forage plants (as peas, beans, or clovers).
3. A pod dehiscent into two pieces or valves, and having the seed attached at one suture, as that of the pea.

1. A locality in the Tenterfield council area, north eastern New South Wales, Australia.

Etymology

Borrowed from French légume, from Latin legūmen (“bean”). Doublet of legumen.