Published in the
Contra Costa Times on
Q.
What is legume?
A.
Plants called legumes are members of the
Fabaceae or Bean and Pea family of plants. This is currently believed to
be one of the largest plant families, and a very important one to people.
Included in this family are annuals, perennial herbs, shrubs, vines and
trees. Over 19,000 species can be found from the arctic to desert regions
and everywhere in between. One of the adaptations legumes have evolved is a
symbiotic relationship with nitrogen fixing bacteria (rhizobia)
that live on their roots, enabling the plants to grow in areas where soil
nitrogen might not be available. By the time of the