Legumes  belong to the Fabaceae plant family, previously known as Leguminosae. They are dicotyledonous, with two seed leaves. They bear pods that dehisce (split open) along both sutures, revealing from one to many seeds. Leguminous plant roots act as hosts for nodule-forming bacteria of the Rhizobium or Bradyrhizobium genera leading to fixation of atmospheric nitrogen (N2). This reduces their need for nitrogen fertilization.

Legumes

Common Name Latin Name
Alfalfa Medicago sativa L.
Alsike Clover Trifolium hybridum L.
Arrowleaf Clover Trifolium vesiculosum Savi
Balansa Clover Trifolium michelianum L.
Berseem Clover Trifolium alexandrinum L.
Birdsfoot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus L.
Black Medic Medicago lupulina L.
Burr Medic Medicago polymorpha L.
Cicer Milkvetch Astragalus cicer L.
Common Vetch Vicia sativa L.
Cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.
Crimson Clover Trifolium incarnatum L.
Crownvetch Securigera Varia L. Lassen
Fababean Vicia faba L.
Gland Clover Trifolium glanduliferum Boiss.
Hairy Vetch Vicia villosa Roth
Kura (Caucasian) Clover Trifolium ambiguum M. Bieb.
Pea (Austrian Winter) Pisum sativum L.
Persian Clover Trifolium resupinatum L.
Red Clover Trifolium pratense L.
Rose Clover Trifolium hirtum All.
Sainfoin Onobrychis vicifolia Scop.
Soybean Glycine max (L.) Merr.
Strawberry Clover Trifolium fragiferum L.
Subterranean Clover Trifolium subterraneum L.
Sweet Clover Melilotus albus Medik
White Clover Trifolium repens L.
White Lupin Lupinus albus L.