Why Should You Give a Hill o’ Beans About Legumes? Text from educational exhibits of the Taylor Family Desert Legume Garden here at Boyce Thompson Arboretum
The legume family is one of the most economically and agriculturally important plant families in the world. It is, in fact, the third largest family of flowering plants with over 18,000 species. Legumes are a major component of ecosystems worldwide including the Sonoran Desert. As a food source, legumes are second in economic importance only to the Grass Family (wheat, corn, rice, etc.)
Uses of Legumes: 1. Food:
Legumes are a major source of dietary protein. The leaves, pods and/or seeds of many are eaten fresh or cooked. Examples are Beans, Peas, Peanuts, Carob, Fenugreek, and, Licorice.
2. Ornamentals:
Within this diverse family are trees, shrubs, annual and perennial herbs and vines valued for their beauty and usefulness in landscaping. Examples are Wisteria, Mimosa, and Redbud.
3. Medicines:
Plants are living chemical factories. 80% of our medicines today originate from plants. Legumes are also used in many traditional medicines. Examples are Senna, Cancer Bush, and, Kidneywood.
4. Industry:
Legumes provide many chemicals essential to industry for dyes, tannins, gums, oils, etc. Tree legumes are often used for timber and fuel. Examples are Indigo, Mesquite, and Sweet Acacia.
5. Fodder:
The foliage and pods of many legumes are eaten fresh or dried as hay for livestock. They also provide valuable forage for wildlife. Examples are Alfalfa, Vetch, and Clover.
4 | Boyce Thompson Arboretum | Summer 2018
