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{{Mergefrom|Loment|date=May 2007}}
{{Mergefrom|Loment|date=May 2007}}
A '''legume''' is a [[plant]] in the family [[Fabaceae]] (or Leguminosae), or a [[fruit]] of these plants. A '''legume''' fruit is a [[Fruit#Simple fruit|simple dry fruit]] which develops from a simple [[carpel]] and usually [[Dehiscence (botany)|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. Well-known legumes include [[alfalfa]], [[clover]], [[pea]]s, [[bean]]s, [[lentil]]s, [[lupin]]s and [[peanut]]s. A peanut is not a [[Nut (fruit)|nut]] in the botanical sense; a peanut is an [[Dehiscence (botany)|indehiscent]] legume, that is, one whose pod does not split open on its own.[[Image:Soybeanvarieties.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Varieties of soybean seeds, a popular legume]]
A '''legume''' is a [[plant]] in the family [[Fabaceae]] (or Leguminosae), or a [[fruit]] of these plants. A '''legume''' fruit is a [[Fruit#Simple fruit|simple dry fruit]] which develops from a simple [[carpel]] and usually [[Dehiscence (botany)|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. Well-known legumes include [[alfalfa]], [[clover]], [[pea]]s, [[bean]]s, [[lentil]]s, [[lupin]]s and [[peanut]]s. A peanut is not a [[Nut (fruit)|nut]] in the botanical sense; a peanut is an [[Dehiscence (botany)|indehiscent]] legume, that is, one whose pod does not split open on its own.[[Image:Soybeanvarieties.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Varieties of soybean seeds, a popular legume]]
* Various legume species are farmed for timber production worldwide including numerous [[Acacia]] species, Erythroxylum species and [[Castanospermum australe]].
* Various legume species are farmed for timber production worldwide including numerous [[Acacia]] species, Erythroxylum species and [[Castanospermum australe]].
The term is derived from the [[French language|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.
The term is derived from the [[French language|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 [[fibe
Legumes are a good source of [[iron]] and [[fibe
